Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his psychiatric disability was the initial decision, and thus attorney fees are not eligible based on past due benefits awarded in April 2025.

Psychiatric disability

The Board has dismissed the appeal seeking eligibility for VA benefits due to improper concurrent elections of review options and because the June 2025 VA Form 10182 was received by the Board before the July 2025 higher-level review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

sleep apnea

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of persistent daytime hypersomnolence or other manifestations consistent with a compensable disability rating under the criteria established by Diagnostic Codes. The matter is remanded to obtain additional information from the Veteran regarding his headaches and their impact on his daily life.

Obstructive sleep apnea · Headaches

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right ear hearing loss due to untimely filing.,The Board also dismissed the appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss as moot because it was already granted in a prior decision.

sleep apnea · left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy · right ear hearing loss · left ear hearing loss

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with depressive symptoms has been granted, but no earlier than April 5, 2017.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with depressive symptoms

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear employment and income information provided by the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support the claim and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

tinnitus

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea has been dismissed due to their death.

sleep apnea

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the establishment of entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as it is a procedural defect.

The Veteran's left knee joint replacement is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the highest available rating. The Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of severe painful motion or limitation of motion.,Bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable criteria.

Left Knee Joint Replacement · Bilateral Hearing Loss · Tinnitus

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is being remanded for the lumbar spine disability and right knee and calf disabilities.

tinnitus · lumbar spine disability · right knee and calf disability

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, finding that it is related to a head injury sustained during active duty. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

vertigo

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhagic ovarian cysts and denied service connection for endometriosis.

hemorrhagic ovarian cysts · endometriosis

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and potential exposure or aggravation by a service-connected disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions as requested.

obstructive sleep apnea

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is being remanded due to a failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination in connection with her claim. The Board finds that this was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires rescheduling of the examination.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his request.,Service connection for a back condition is denied as there is no evidence that the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

sleep apnea · back condition · left shoulder condition

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Marfan's syndrome was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his request.,Service connection is granted for left lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve (left foot disability) and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The low back degenerative arthritis has also been granted.

Marfan's syndrome · Left lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve (left foot disability) · Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity · Low back degenerative arthritis

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing left femur condition was aggravated by his service.

Degenerative joint disease of the left femur

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, right wrist, headaches, and sleep disturbances as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

lumbar spine (back) disability · left knee disability · right knee disability · right wrist disability · headaches · sleep disturbances