Real decisions, in plain English

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertension contributed to his cause of death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of death.

hypertension · acute myeloid leukemia

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and sinusitis have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) · sinusitis

The Veteran's disability of numbness, tingling, and pain in the left lower extremity is granted as service connected.

numbness · tingling · pain in left lower extremity

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right foot degenerative arthritis before the Board could make a decision.

right foot degenerative arthritis

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma with partial nephrectomy is remanded due to a lack of development regarding the relationship between his hypertension and the cancer. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate physician to determine if the Veteran's hypertension caused or aggravated his renal cell carcinoma.

renal cell carcinoma · hypertension

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 9, 2020 is dismissed as moot because he was already receiving the maximum benefit of a 100% rating for his service-connected PTSD.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

obstructive sleep apnea

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective October 2, 2018.,PTSD is rated at 70% effective October 2, 2018. The Veteran also received a TDIU based solely on PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate.

migraine headaches · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records review, requiring a new VA examination.

excessive salivation · salivary gland conditions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.

lumbosacral strain · degenerative arthritis

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral lung nodules are remanded due to the need for further development including obtaining private medical records and developing a TERA claim.

bilateral hearing loss · tinnitus · bilateral lung nodules

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

lumbosacral strain

The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the duodenum was denied service connection as there is no evidence linking it to his military service, including herbicide exposure.

adenocarcinoma of the duodenum

The Veteran's heart disability has been rated at 100% from September 12, 2022 to August 18, 2023. He is also eligible for special monthly compensation and Dependents' Educational Assistance during this period.

Heart Disability

The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its residuals, including unsteady gait, somnolence, and cognitive dysfunction. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements about in-service head injuries and subsequent seizures.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) · Residuals of tonic-clonic seizures · Unsteady gait · Somnolence · Cognitive dysfunction

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The initial rating of 10 percent, but not higher, has been assigned for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Service connection has also been established for migraine headaches, degenerative arthritis in the left knee, right knee disorder (osteoarthritis), right ankle sprain, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral flat feet, and various foot conditions.

pulmonary sarcoidosis · migraine headaches · degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in left knee · right knee disorder, to include degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) · degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in bilateral ankles · right ankle sprain (claimed and previously addressed as right ankle arthritis) · right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis · bilateral flat feet (pes planus) · bilateral plantar fasciitis · hammer toe, left second toe · right foot metatarsalgia

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for service-connected tension headaches and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

tension headaches

The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches due to right eye removal are granted. The claim for a compensable evaluation of xeroderma of the right eye is remanded.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) · Migraine headaches

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus condition was aggravated by service. The effective date is August 15, 2025.

bilateral plantar fasciitis · pes planus

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.

Acquired Psychiatric Disorder · Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)