Real decisions, in plain English

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities beginning September 3, 2019, and an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.

femoral nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) · femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) · sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) · sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE)

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 1, 2020, for a TDIU rating based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities impacting his ability to work.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee, and left knee as secondary to the right knee.

Degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome · Degenerative arthritis of the right knee · Degenerative arthritis of the left knee as secondary to the right knee

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a maximum disability rating of 100 percent effective December 12, 2022. The ratings for migraines and IBS with GERD were restored from noncompensable to their previous levels.

PTSD · Migraines · IBS with GERD

The Board grants service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his period of active duty service. The claims for ischemic heart disease, aortic valve replacement, status post aortic stenosis, and peripheral vascular disease with popliteal aneurysm are remanded.

tinnitus · ischemic heart disease · aortic valve replacement, status post aortic stenosis (claimed as vascular disease) · peripheral vascular disease with popliteal aneurysm, left lower extremity (claimed as vascular disease) · peripheral vascular disease with popliteal aneurysm, right lower extremity (claimed as vascular disease)

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, to include as secondary to left orchiectomy, for further development in accordance with the PACT Act.

Diabetes mellitus type II · Hypertension

The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

tinnitus

The Board denied an initial rating greater than 30 percent for plantar fasciitis as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

Plantar fasciitis

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its initial onset during active service.

tinnitus

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's sinusitis, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

sinusitis

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The appeal for benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is dismissed due to the extension of eligibility for legacy PCAFC participants.

The appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the claim for an increased initial disability evaluation of headaches due to an inadequate VA examination.

headaches

The Board denied an evaluation greater than 20 percent for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, as the evidence did not show severe incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

right hand carpal tunnel syndrome

The Board granted service connection for a liver condition, finding it to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder.

liver condition · alcohol use disorder

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic ear condition, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the current condition and his active service.

chronic ear condition

The Board granted service connection for psoriatic arthritis and drug-induced hepatitis liver disease, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

psoriatic arthritis · drug-induced hepatitis liver disease

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a spine disability and psoriasis due to insufficient evidence in the VA opinions obtained.

Spine disability · Psoriasis

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, finding that her symptoms more closely approximated those required for such a rating.

unspecified depressive disorder