Real decisions, in plain English

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney condition and malignant melanoma of the skin due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's in-service exposure to Agent Orange is a key factor in both cases.

Kidney Condition · Malignant Melanoma of the Skin

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for tinnitus as there is no evidence showing that the condition manifested during a period of qualifying active service or is otherwise related to such service.

tinnitus

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, including associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection is also granted for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability.

Cervical spine disability · Left upper extremity radiculopathy · Right upper extremity radiculopathy · Skin disability

The Veteran's GAD with PDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting an initial rating of 70 percent.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) · Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for compensation under 38 USC § 1151 for loss of teeth, and the appeal is dismissed.

loss of teeth

The Board has determined that the AOJ should clarify the current ratings for the Veteran's left knee disability, as there was an error in reactivating a previously terminated service-connected condition. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for his meniscal tear and reconstruction with limitation of motion.

left knee meniscal tear and reconstruction · muscle atrophy of the left leg

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance from June 1, 2011, to May 24, 2017, finding that his need for regular aid and attendance was not established during this period.

Prostate cancer residuals · Coronary artery disease (CAD) · Balance impairment · Bilateral upper extremity diminished reflexes · Bradykinesia · Tremors · Muscle rigidity

The Board denied reinstatement of apportionment of $204 per month for the Veteran's VA disability compensation for his children due to the Veteran reasonably discharging his responsibilities and the appellant not demonstrating hardship.

The Veteran's migraines and fibromyalgia are presumed to have been caused by exposure to fine, particulate matter in Southwest Asia. The bilateral knee condition is at least as likely as not related to service. The low back disability is also at least as likely as not related to service. The bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is at least as likely as not related to the service-connected low back disability. The acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety) is at least as likely as not related to service.,The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

migraines · fibromyalgia · bilateral knee condition · low back disability · bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy · acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety)

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus is etiologically related to her military noise exposure. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

tinnitus

The Board dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for dry eye syndrome claimed as visual impairment, including blurry vision, blindness, double vision due to procedural error. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

dry eye syndrome · sleep apnea

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis, disc desiccation, disc protrusion, and stenosis, as well as mandibular nerve damage of the left cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve). The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these disabilities.

lumbosacral strain with spondylosis, disc desiccation, disc protrusion, and stenosis · mandibular nerve damage of the left cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve)

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.

asthma · tension headaches · eczema · allergic rhinitis

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his coronary artery disease.

coronary artery disease (CAD)

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.

Parkinson's disease · Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · Major depressive disorder

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.

tinnitus · lumbar degenerative arthritis with DDD · degenerative arthritis of right hand · right ankle strain · pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)

lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including left knee, right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, and coronary artery disease, have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these disabilities to the Veteran's active duty.

Left Knee Disability · Right Knee Disability · Left Shoulder Disability · Right Shoulder Disability · Coronary Artery Disease

The Veteran's claim to reverse the July 2015 rating decision that granted service connection for PTSD effective March 31, 2015 due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is remanded. The Board notes that the upgrade of his discharge from Other than Honorable to General Under Honorable Conditions occurred in March 2015.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Board found that the Veteran does not require personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his ability to perform activities of daily living independently and manage his medical care.