Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's eligibility for the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded because the decision was based on incomplete medical evidence and did not consider all available records.

TBI

The Veteran withdrew her claim for service connection for depression before the Board could make a decision.

depression

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of carpal tunnel syndrome in the left upper extremity, and the Board has dismissed this case.

cervical radiculopathy · carpal tunnel syndrome

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.,Service connection cannot be granted because there is no showing of chronicity or continuity of symptoms within one year after discharge.

Degeneration of lumbosacral spine, with degenerative arthritis thoracic spine · Left lower extremity radiculopathy, with involvement of L4/L5/S1/S2/S3 nerve roots (sciatic nerve) · Right lower extremity radiculopathy, with involvement of L4/L5/S1/S2/S3 nerve roots (sciatic nerve) · Impairment of the knee, general (left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome with knee instability and arthritis) · Impairment of the knee, general (right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with knee instability and arthritis)

The Veteran's claim for an initial noncompensable rating for eczema was granted, effective November 5, 2024. The effective date could not be earlier due to the lack of a prior formal or informal claim within one year of receipt of the Intent to File.

eczema

The Veteran's left knee condition, bilateral foot disabilities, and keratoconus have been granted service connection.,A reduction in the rating for hemorrhoids was improper, and the original rating of 20 percent has been restored.

Left Knee Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome with Osteoarthritis, Limitation of Extension · Bilateral Foot Disabilities · Keratoconus

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with a rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's back disability remains at a 40 percent rating. The Board finds the evidence does not support an increase to higher ratings.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities are each granted initial 20 percent ratings.,Service connection for GAD, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic kidney pain is remanded.,A compensable disability rating (greater than 0 percent) for chronic kidney infections is also remanded.

tinnitus · degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, IVDS, and spondylolisthesis (back disability) · radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the left lower extremity · radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the right lower extremity · generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) · bilateral hearing loss · chronic kidney pain · chronic kidney infections

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

left ear hearing loss · right ear hearing loss

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his IBS, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a moderate or severe condition as defined by VA regulations.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

The Veteran's request for an extension of time to file a Board Appeal from the March 14, 2024 rating decision was denied because it was not timely filed. The appeal is dismissed.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS with GERD, and OSA were denied. The claim for OSA was granted due to the receipt of new evidence showing a current disability.

chronic fatigue syndrome · IBS with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) · obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, but denied his claim for right knee disorder. The Board also remanded the cases of left leg disorder and lumbar spine disorder.

lumbar spine disorder · right knee disorder · left leg disorder

The Board denied service connection for a cardiac disability, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or an in-service injury.

cardiac disability · arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD)/coronary artery disease (CAD)

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left, right ankle disabilities, left and right hip disabilities, left and right shin splints, and left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate nexus opinions in the VA examination reports. The Veteran contends that her current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during basic training.

left ankle disability · right ankle disability · left hip disability · right hip disability · left shin splints · right shin splints · left knee disability · right knee disability

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle strain and right foot condition, finding no current disability related to service.

right ankle strain · right foot condition

The Board dismissed the appeal because the January 2025 decisional letter did not adjudicate whether C. should be added as the Veteran's dependent spouse.

The Board has denied service connection for overactive bladder and bilateral foot conditions (plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus) as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

overactive bladder · plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus, bilateral feet

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as they cause occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but generally function satisfactorily.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Board has decided that the VASP application is not associated with the claims file and requires additional information to be obtained before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of neck, back, rhinitis, sinusitis, or migraine headaches disorders. The evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

neck disorder · back disorder · rhinitis · sinusitis · migraine headaches