Real decisions, in plain English

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.

Hypertension

The Board denied eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2024 rating decision because the March 2024 rating decision was an initial decision granting service connection for anxiety disorder.

Anxiety Disorder

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for emotional lability (previously rated as PTSD) and abnormal behavior (previously rated as major depression with psychosis), finding that the appeals were untimely due to a lack of timely rating decisions prior to the Veteran's NODs.

emotional lability (previously rated as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) · abnormal behavior (previously rated as major depression with psychosis)

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that her current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to military noise exposure.

bilateral hearing loss

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol abuse, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.

unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress · alcohol abuse

The Board has granted the claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that new and relevant evidence supports these claims.

anxiety · depression · acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD)

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's death was linked to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

cardiopulmonary arrest · tracheitis due to aspiration pneumonia · anaplastic thyroid

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding eligibility for enrollment in VA's PCAFC program, and the Board has dismissed the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of its onset during service or within one year of service and concluding that it is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

hypertension

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of depression, anxiety, and occasional sleep impairment. The level of impairment does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder due to another medical condition, is granted as service-connected. The left shoulder and lower back conditions are remanded for further examination.

Acquired Psychiatric Disorder · Left Shoulder Condition · Lower Back Condition

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disability, finding that it had its onset during service and is related to service. The decision was made after considering both lay and medical evidence.

right ankle sprain

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right hip disability and their military service. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a connection.

Right Hip Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's thyroid disability. The claim will be readjudicated after these are obtained.

Thyroid condition

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune during service.

hypertension · diabetes · heart disease · kidney disease

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

tinnitus

The Veteran's initial claim for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied, and the rating assigned prior to September 12, 2024, is noncompensable.

bilateral sensorineural hearing loss

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of August 10, 2022, the date service connection for hypertension was granted. The Board found that the Veteran met both the economic and noneconomic components required for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

Hypertension · PTSD

The Board has granted service connection for an insomnia disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

insomnia disorder