Real decisions, in plain English

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an adequate examination, as there are duty-to-assist errors prior to the September 2020 rating decision.

acquired psychiatric disorder · irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to January 13, 2022. Effective March 18, 2020, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine · Herniated nucleus pulposus (IVDS)

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active military service.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Anxiety · Depression

The Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD is restored, effective June 1, 2021.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence for a schedular rating, and the issues are inextricably intertwined.

sinusitis · right upper extremity radiculopathy · left upper extremity radiculopathy · cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis · tinnitus · bilateral shin splits · scar, anterior neck associated with cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis

Left hand pain and right hand pain have been dismissed as the issues were resolved in a separate March 2026 decision.,Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis has been granted, but left hand pain and right hand pain remain pending.

Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis · Residual scar status post gallbladder removal · Lung disability

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion prior to the rating decision on appeal regarding whether the Veteran's arthritis was related to his period of active service, and if so, whether it contributed to his death.

arthritis

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to incomplete VA Forms, and the Board finds this a procedural error warranting corrective action before adjudicating the appeal on the merits.

Service-connected disabilities

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's substance use disorder as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's abuse of substances was a result of his PTSD.

substance use disorder · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

bilateral hearing loss · gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

cirrhosis · hypertension · congestive heart failure

The Veteran's request to readjudicate the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability with alcohol and drug abuse is granted. The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the claim has been received, but further development is needed due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding verification of reported deaths in service.

Acquired psychiatric disability

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is moot.

bilateral flat feet · pseudofolliculitis barbae · right elbow medial epicondylitis with limitation of supination · left hip strain with limitation of flexion associated with bilateral flat feet · right elbow medial epicondylitis with limitation of flexion · unspecified depressive disorder associated with bilateral flat feet · right hip strain with limitation of abduction associated with bilateral flat feet · left hip strain with limitation of abduction associated with bilateral flat feet · right hip strain with limited flexion associated with bilateral flat feet · left knee tendonitis associated with bilateral flat feet · right knee tendonitis associated with bilateral flat feet · left elbow lateral epicondylitis with limitation of flexion · left elbow lateral and medial epicondylitis with limitation of supination · right hip strain with limited extension associated with bilateral flat feet · left hip strain with limitation of extension associated with bilateral flat feet

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain private treatment records from the Veteran's treating clinician.

Acquired psychiatric disorder

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate his claims for service connection for coronary atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus type II, but has remanded the cases due to new evidence received. The claims are being remanded for toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) medical opinions regarding any possible nexus between the Veteran's claimed exposures in Camp Lejeune and his conditions.

coronary atherosclerosis · diabetes mellitus type II · peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity · peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity · peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity · peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions in the current file, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability will be reconsidered with new evidence.

Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood · Alcohol Use Disorder (in full remission)

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion and a need for further examination.

GERD

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower lobe lung mass, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service due to exposure to chemicals in an unventilated storeroom during his MOS as an aviation supply clerk.

left lower lobe lung mass

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination and potential exposure to toxic substances during service.

sleep apnea

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome (claimed as IBS-Gulf War Syndrome) due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for tinnitus was granted.

Irritable bowel syndrome · Tinnitus