Real decisions, in plain English

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a potential increase in severity of the Veteran's headaches since her March 2023 VA examination, requiring further evaluation.

Unspecified headaches

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not require regular aid and assistance from another person as a result of these conditions.

acquired psychiatric disorder · right shoulder disorder · left shoulder disorder · diabetes mellitus · sarcoidosis · erectile dysfunction · hypertension

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service due to lack of evidence of a chronic condition during service or post-service continuity.

Right Knee Osteoarthritis · Left Knee Osteoarthritis

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for papillary thyroid carcinoma is denied. The case is being remanded due to a procedural error in notifying the Veteran of his right to a hearing on a supplemental claim.

papillary thyroid carcinoma

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and a rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The right ankle strain from October 18, 2023 to November 14, 2023 is also granted with a 20 percent rating.,For the remaining period after October 18, 2023, the Veteran's right ankle strain remains at a 10 percent rating.

tinnitus · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · right ankle strain

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including missing treatment records and a lack of an opinion on whether the Veteran's unspecified adjustment disorder is related to his service.

Acquired psychiatric disorder (including unspecified adjustment disorder)

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left knee disability, tension headaches, a left ankle disability, and a back disability due to the Veteran's death.

left knee disability · tension headaches · left ankle disability · back disability

The Veteran's motions to revise the July 27, 2009, Rating Decision were denied. The claims for service connection for a headache disability, sinusitis (claimed as rhinitis), an immune deficiency disability (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome), and chronic fatigue syndrome were not granted due to lack of clear and unmistakable error.

Headache disability · Sinusitis (claimed as rhinitis) · Immune deficiency disability (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome) · Chronic fatigue syndrome

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition was granted with an effective date of August 1, 2019. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to diesel and gas fuel during service.

Congestive heart failure · Coronary artery disease · Cardiomyopathy · Valvular heart disease

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.

left foot metatarsalgia · tinnitus · left wrist disability · right foot plantar warts · migraines · right knee limitation of extension · right knee instability · left knee limitation of extension · left knee instability

The Board has denied the Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable evaluation for her bilateral eye disorder and has remanded her claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and left hip disorders.

Bilateral Dry Eye Syndrome with Corneal Scar (Left Eye) · Left Knee Disorder - Medial and Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis · Right Knee Disorder - Medial and Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis · Left Hip Disorder - Postsurgical Sequelae from Left Hip Arthroplasty

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for their service-connected reflux disease was not perfected, and the June 2024 decision did not constitute a supplemental claim. Therefore, the appellant is not eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the June 2024 rating decision.

Reflux disease

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right and left tenosynovitis with tendonitis, as well as a TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion. The current VA examinations do not account for the ameliorative effects of medication used by the Veteran.

right tenosynovitis with tendonitis · left tenosynovitis with tendonitis

The Board denied the appellant's request for eligibility to receive agent fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2025 rating decision. The appeal was dismissed as there is no valid fee agreement between the Veteran and the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for various disabilities, including service connection for depressive disorder and increased evaluations for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple nerve groups. A SMC based on need for aid and attendance was also awarded.

Diabetes Mellitus · Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (left femoral nerve) · Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (right femoral nerve) · Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (left sciatic nerve) · Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (right sciatic nerve) · Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (all left radicular nerve groups) · Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (all right radicular nerve groups)

The Veteran's right ankle limitation of motion is granted a 20 percent disability evaluation, while his right and left lower extremity radiculopathies remain at noncompensable ratings.

Right Ankle Limitation of Motion · Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy · Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a procedural error in notifying the Veteran about the appellant's request for apportionment of his VA disability compensation. The AOJ is instructed to correct this by sending Financial Status Report forms and requesting that both parties provide information on their financial status.

The Veteran's Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation is granted to be apportioned to the appellant, on behalf of minor child J.W.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent disability rating for his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MDD and anxiety, has been granted. However, the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to procedural issues.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Major Depressive Disorder · Anxiety

The Veteran transferred his entitlement to educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to his daughter, who is now over 26 years old. The Board denied her claim as she was not eligible for education benefits beyond age 26.