Real decisions, in plain English

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.

bilateral hearing loss · migraine headaches · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.

obstructive sleep apnea

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

Left Knee Disability · Right Knee Disability

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for residual scar of the right hand 4th metacarpal and fractured right hand, status post-surgical repair were denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities do not clearly interfere with normal employability.

residual scar of the right hand 4th metacarpal · fractured right hand

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Veteran's claims regarding entitlement to service connection for a headache disability and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 29, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for right tibiofibular ligament strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

headache disability · right tibiofibular ligament strain

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings regarding PTSD and depression, requiring a new VA examination.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Depression

The Veteran's right ring finger disability and associated right hand scar are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent rating for his right hand scar, effective March 9, 2007. Separate ratings of 10 percent are assigned for peripheral neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities and for peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities.

Right Ring Finger Disability · Right Hand Scar

The Veteran's service-connected dislocation of the left shoulder, post-operative sequela is currently evaluated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

Dislocation of the left shoulder, post-operative sequela

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.

tinnitus · foot disability (to include bilateral pes planus) · cardiovascular disorder

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.

left leg strain

The Veteran's papilloma disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the severity of his condition under both DC 6504 (nose) and DC 7800 (scar).

status post endoscopic sinus surgery for recurrent intranasal inverting papilloma with atypical features (papilloma disability)

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding the diagnosis of gastritis and its relation to service. The Veteran needs to provide records, and a VA examiner will review his medical history and determine if gastritis is related to his military service or any other conditions.

gastritis

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's right ring finger injury, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for ankylosis or limitation of motion under applicable VA rating criteria.

Right ring finger deformity

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Bilateral Hearing Loss · Alcohol Abuse · Psychiatric Disorder (including PTSD)

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.

obstructive sleep apnea

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.

Low back disability · Acquired psychiatric disorder

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support an etiological relationship between his current condition and his military service.

Right Knee Disability

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine · headaches

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.

Major Depressive Disorder