Real decisions, in plain English

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinsonism, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his military service. The decision resolves all doubts in favor of the claim.

Parkinsonism

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.

degenerative arthritis lumbar spine · degenerative joint disease · lumbar spine disc bulge with thoracic spine strain

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee scar, skin disability, and traumatic brain injury. The claim of service connection for a back disability is remanded due to failure to obtain a VA medical opinion.

bilateral hearing loss · left knee scar · skin disability · traumatic brain injury (TBI)

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no competent or credible evidence linking the condition to his military service.

tinnitus

The Board has found the eligibility determination for PCAFC enrollment to be legally inadequate and remanded for a new medical opinion that adequately addresses the criteria for eligibility as set forth in VA regulations.

lumbar spine degenerative arthritis · bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy · bilateral knee strain · posttraumatic stress disorder

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes a total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is rated at 60 percent due to severe painful motion or weakness throughout the rating period. The appeal was granted.

Left Knee Disability

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on cervical strain with myofascial pain syndrome, lumbar strain with lumbar spondylosis and myofascial pain syndrome, and mixed type headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

cervical strain with myofascial pain syndrome · lumbar strain with lumbar spondylosis and myofascial pain syndrome · mixed type headaches

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a ventral hernia is denied. The extension beyond December 31, 2019, of a temporary total rating (TTR) based on hospitalization for PTSD is also denied. A rating in excess of 70% for PTSD from January 1, 2020 to November 6, 2025 is denied.

Ventral hernia · PTSD

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left varicocele with surgical resection, finding that his symptoms are comparable to those of intermittent edema and fatigue after prolonged standing or walking.

left varicocele

The Veteran's service from November 13, 2012 to February 13, 2015 and his service with the New Jersey ANG from March 2, 2015 to August 12, 2018 are not sufficient for eligibility under Chapter 33 of the Post-9/11 GI Bill due to a limitation on using the same period of service for multiple benefits.

The Veteran's CRAO with strabismus is considered a qualifying additional disability caused by the VA eye surgeries in November and December 2018, which were not reasonably foreseeable. The Board has granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this condition.

Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO) with strabismus

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking payment or reimbursement for non-VA medical expenses incurred from May 2019 to December 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an elbow disorder manifested by pain, and reduced elbow, wrist, and grip strength is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requests additional clarification on whether the Veteran has a current elbow disability and requires an adequate medical opinion.

right partial ulnar neuropathy · elbow disorder manifested by pain

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) has been granted service connection, with the in-service stressor involving a hit on the head during Octoberfest. Headaches have also been granted an initial 30 percent rating based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once per month.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury and neck disability is pending as remanded issues.

Acquired Psychiatric Disability (PTSD) · Headaches · Traumatic Brain Injury · Neck Disability

The Veteran's entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were restored effective January 29, 2023. The AOJ improperly discontinued these benefits retroactively without proper justification.

The Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome is rated at a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6025, the maximum available for this condition.

Bilateral dry eye syndrome

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied because there is no evidence of an increase in disability severity prior to September 19, 2022, and the effective date cannot be earlier than that.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right hip, and right ankle disorders as secondary to his left knee disorder. The AOJ must obtain VA examinations and provide answers to questions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

lower back disorder · right hip disorder · right ankle disorder

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left and right hip disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran will need an adequate VA medical opinion to determine if his hip disabilities are related to service.

left hip disability · right hip disability

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of non-VA ambulance transportation on May 28, 2020 was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.