Real decisions, in plain English

The appeal for service connection of left knee arthritis, claimed as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability, is remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical report. The Board needs clarification on the Veteran's military history and the correct factual premises.

left knee disability · respiratory condition (bronchial asthma) · mild restrictive lung disease · right knee injury

The veteran's service connection for several conditions related to radiculopathy was granted with an effective date of January 7, 2005. Some issues regarding increased ratings and total disability were remanded.

right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability · left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability · left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability · left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the external cutaneous nerve associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability · left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the ilio-inguinal nerve associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents and/or dioxides. The Board found that there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives and additional development is necessary.

diabetes mellitus, type II · hypertension

The appeal for service connection of a recurrent right lung disability, other than COPD, is remanded. The Board needs more medical evidence to determine the nature and cause of the condition.

recurrent right lung disability · COPD

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on the Veteran's exposure to particulate matter during his active service in Iraq.

obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) · complex sleep apnea

The veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was granted. The claims for atypical chest pain and heart palpitation/heart condition were remanded for further development.

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) · atypical chest pain · heart palpitation/heart condition

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 10 percent for Achilles tendonitis and degenerative arthritis of the right heel, stating that the condition does not result in marked limitation of motion.

Achilles tendonitis · degenerative arthritis

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee conditions, right and left hip conditions, and TDIU. The case was returned to the regional office for further development.

right knee condition · left knee condition · right hip condition · left hip condition

The Board remanded the case to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the veteran's knee disabilities as of April 29, 2022. The clinician must review specific VA examination reports and address the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms without medication.

right knee limitation of flexion · right knee degenerative arthritis and retropatellar pain with limitation of extension · left knee limitation of flexion · left knee degenerative arthritis and retropatellar pain with limitation of extension

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to service-connected bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis.

bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for prostate cancer was denied. Service connection for constipation/hemorrhoids was granted. The claim for TDIU prior to August 21, 2014, was remanded.

prostate cancer · constipation/hemorrhoids

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent disability rating for ventral hernia was denied. The issues of service connection for GERD, IBS, and decreased mobility of the abdomen condition were remanded.

ventral hernia · gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) · irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) · decreased mobility of abdomen condition

The appeal is remanded because the VA did not provide proper notice of a scheduled examination. The case will be reviewed again after the Veteran attends a new examination.

acquired psychiatric disorder · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for right foot pes planus with degenerative arthritis and tendonitis was partially granted. A 30% rating was assigned starting August 22, 2023, but the request for a higher rating before that date was denied. Additionally, a separate 10% rating for right ankle posterior tibialis insufficiency with associated chronic right ankle pain was granted effective January 17, 2017.

right foot pes planus with degenerative arthritis and tendonitis · right ankle posterior tibialis insufficiency with associated chronic right ankle pain

The Board's decision to remand the veteran's claims for coronary artery disease ratings was vacated because the veteran could not have initiated an appeal under the legacy system.

coronary artery disease

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for further development and examination. The issues involve evaluations for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease · sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity · sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity essential tremors, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

right upper extremity essential tremors · right lower extremity essential tremors · left upper extremity essential tremors · left lower extremity essential tremors

The veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for hearing loss and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and bilateral cataracts were denied. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea and total disability rating due to individual unemployability were remanded.

hearing loss · diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction · bilateral cataracts

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD but remanded the claims for radiculopathy and TDIU.

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · right lower extremity radiculopathy · left lower extremity radiculopathy

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for left total knee arthroplasty was denied for certain periods. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals, left knee injury from June 25, 2013 to August 10, 2018 was remanded.

left total knee arthroplasty · residuals, left knee injury