Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected migraine headaches was granted with an effective date of February 28, 2023.

migraine headaches

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in fulfilling VA's duty to assist, including obtaining service personnel records and conducting a formal character of discharge determination with a compelling circumstances analysis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left wrist disorders due to a duty to assist error in failing to provide notice of a hearing.

right wrist disorder · left wrist disorder

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a failure to provide notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.

headaches · right hip disorder · left hip disorder · back disorder · acquired psychiatric disorder

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence regarding whether the condition was present during service and has continued since then.

tinnitus

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart disability, including coronary artery disease, as these conditions are found to be proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea · Heart Disability (to include Coronary Artery Disease)

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for coronary heart disease effective February 10, 2021. The Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date or increased rating.

Coronary Heart Disease · Hypertensive Heart Disease

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to a failure by the AOJ to provide proper notice of his right to a hearing.

sinusitis

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the AOJ's handling of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, and depression. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtain medical opinions regarding the diagnoses and their relation to service.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder · Depression

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. COPD is considered a disease associated with such exposure.

COPD

The claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.

Right Shoulder Disability · Left Shoulder Disability

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus prevented them from maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 13, 2024. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

PTSD · tinnitus

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea arose during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

obstructive sleep apnea

The appeal to sever service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease is dismissed.

right shoulder degenerative joint disease

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for a VA examination.

Erectile Dysfunction

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurring deep vein thrombosis is being remanded due to the failure to consider new evidence and provide a medical nexus opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and service, including exposure to toxic environmental risks (TERA).

Recurring deep vein thrombosis

The Veteran's chilblain and frostbite of the bilateral hand and fingers were granted service connection as they are related to his active military service.

chilblain · frostbite

The Board has determined that the Veteran's epididymitis was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

epididymitis

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is related to his in-service exposure to organic solvents. The decision is based on a March 2026 private medical opinion and the Veteran's credible testimony.

sleep apnea