Real decisions, in plain English

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's skin conditions, finding no evidence that her skin condition began during active service or is related to in-service injury or disease.

basal cell carcinoma · actinic keratosis · seborrheic keratosis

The veteran was granted a 60% rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy before April 15, 2021, and TDIU from October 1, 2014. Other claims were denied.

left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy · left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy · right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy

The Board denied service connection for both the heart and kidney disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a link to active military service.

heart disability · kidney disability

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support these entitlements.

left lower extremity radiculopathy

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 22, 2011, because her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine · left lower extremity radiculopathy · residuals of thyroid cancer · hypertension · right shoulder arthritis · left shoulder arthritis

The veteran's claim for service connection for thoracic syrinx was granted. The claims for higher ratings for PTSD were remanded.

thoracic syrinx · post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · traumatic brain injury (TBI)

The Board remanded the case to obtain additional VA examinations addressing the severity of the Veteran's gout in various joints.

gout of the right knee · right total knee arthroplasty (TKA) · gout of the left knee with limitation of extension · left TKA · gout of the left ankle · gout of the left elbow · gout of the left hand

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus because the evidence showed it was not related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation.

bilateral pes planus

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) due to the need for regular aid and attendance of another person because of service-connected PTSD, back disability, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica.

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · back disability · bilateral lower extremity sciatica

The veteran's appeal for service connection for foot fungus, nail fungus, and major depressive disorder was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the remaining issues on appeal.

foot fungus · nail fungus · major depressive disorder

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right ankle sprains were denied. However, the veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as of August 1, 2017.

left ankle sprain · right ankle sprain · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · low back · bilateral shoulders · bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) · bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) · right hand fracture · right shoulder scars

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded because the VA did not obtain a sufficient medical opinion. The case will be reviewed again after further development.

acquired psychiatric disability

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for traumatic brain injury was remanded due to missing medical records and the need for an updated examination. Special monthly compensation for aid and attendance was granted.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) · Post-concussion headache · Neurocognitive disorder · Status post L4 fracture (lumbar spine disability) · Status post pubic rami fracture with bilateral thigh residuals/impairments · Parkinsonism · Tremor and bradykinesia of the bilateral upper and lower extremities · Right and left sided loss of automatic movements · Changes in speech/dysarthria right and left sided impairments · Impairment in chewing and swallowing · Stooped posture right and left sided impairments · Status left renal calculi · Constipation · Hearing loss · Tinnitus

Service connection for memory loss was denied. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was remanded for further evaluation.

memory loss · chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) · obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

The veteran was granted a 30% rating for IBS and right ovarian endometrioma. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral fallopian tube scars as secondary conditions. Service connection for eyesight disability and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The issues of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and TDIU were remanded.

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) · right ovarian endometrioma · acquired psychiatric disorder · bilateral fallopian tube scars · eyesight disability, to include a retinal condition · bilateral hearing loss · right knee disability · left knee disability

The appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is remanded. The Board needs more medical evidence to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities require aid and attendance.

hypertension · low back condition · prostate condition · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · coronary artery disease to include transient ischemic attack (heart problems) · peripheral vascular disease, right lower extremity · type II diabetes mellitus, to include erectile dysfunction and bilateral nuclear cataracts · peripheral vascular disease, left lower extremity · tinnitus

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating higher than 20 percent for both right and left knee disabilities. The decision was based on insufficient evidence showing significant limitation of extension or flexion in the knees.

right knee disability · left knee disability

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hiatal hernia (also claimed as acid reflux). The Veteran's service in Vietnam from April 1966 to September 1969 is noted, including exposure to herbicides.

obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) · hiatal hernia · acid reflux

The Board denied higher ratings for the veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy but remanded the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity · diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity · diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity · diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's thoracolumbar disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

thoracolumbar disorder · right lower extremity radiculopathy · left lower extremity radiculopathy