Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on the statutory housebound rate criteria is dismissed because their Notice of Disagreement was invalid as it attempted to appeal a prior Board decision.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's lower back condition and surgical scars are inadequate, necessitating a remand for further evaluation.

degenerative disc disease · degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis · status post anterior lumbar fusions, L4-5 and L5-S1

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing this issue.

Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine · Left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis with tendinitis · Right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis with tendinitis · Obstructive sleep apnea

The Veteran's residuals of papillary carcinoma, thyroid, status post total thyroidectomy is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is granted as service-connected due to the presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

residuals of papillary carcinoma, thyroid, status post total thyroidectomy · hypothyroidism · migraine headaches including migraine variants · degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine · hypertension

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scrotal abscess and right knee recurrent sprain with chronic arthralgia were denied as the Veteran failed to attend VA examinations without good cause.

scrotal abscess · right knee recurrent sprain with chronic arthralgia

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

bilateral foot disability

The Board has denied service connection for treatment purposes only for PTSD and remanded the claim of service connection for treatment purposes only for HIV.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining relevant non-VA audiology treatment records, and the Veteran is asked to provide forms for his providers.

bilateral hearing loss

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of cold injury of right foot, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

cold injury of right foot · left knee disability · right knee disability

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) · Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's cause of death due to these conditions is also recognized.

chronic lymphocytic leukemia (lymphocytic leukemia) · diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) · bilateral lower extremity neuropathy

The Veteran's spouse and child were recognized as dependents for VA purposes based on the submission of appropriate documentation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking them to his service. The claims for depression, insomnia, sleep apnea, skeletal arthritis, chronic pain, muscle spasm, left upper extremity neuropathy and nerve pain, right upper extremity neuropathy and nerve pain, left lower extremity neuropathy and nerve pain, and right lower extremity neuropathy and nerve pain are all denied.

depression · insomnia · sleep apnea · skeletal arthritis · chronic pain · muscle spasm · left upper extremity neuropathy and nerve pain · right upper extremity neuropathy and nerve pain · left lower extremity neuropathy and nerve pain · right lower extremity neuropathy and nerve pain · prostate condition

The Board has remanded the claims for bladder cancer, erectile dysfunction, and gouty arthropathy due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran's request for a referral to a urologist for ED is also remanded. A VA medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gouty arthropathy and his service-connected conditions.

Bladder cancer · Erectile dysfunction (ED) · Gouty arthropathy

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event or injury related to his shoulders. The Veteran's current shoulder conditions are not linked to his military service.

Right Shoulder Disability · Left Shoulder Disability

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and obtain a new medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service, his death, and any service-connected disabilities.

hemorrhagic shock · septic shock · acute hypoxic respiratory failure · ampullary mass

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.

Major depressive disorder · Binge eating disorder

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of his hemorrhoids, so the case is dismissed.

Hemorrhoids

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from August 3, 2021. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

Depressive Disorder

The Veteran seeks service connection for migraine headaches, which he claims began during basic training and intensified after military activities. The VA has previously granted service connection for headaches but not specifically for migraine headaches. The Board is remanding the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the onset of the condition.

migraine headaches