Real decisions, in plain English

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 23, 2018, because the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II based on the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand and Guam.

diabetes mellitus type II

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 10% for right knee osteoarthritis. The decision was based on the veteran's range of motion and lack of additional functional loss.

right knee osteoarthritis

The appeal for service connection of sleep apnea is remanded. The Board needs more information about the veteran's service records and a medical opinion on toxic exposure.

sleep apnea

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's varicose veins, finding no evidence that they are related to service or secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease.

varicose veins

The veteran's claim for service connection of an eye disability has been granted. The Board found that the veteran's eye issues are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

eye disability

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than June 30, 2016, for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) because there was no factually ascertainable increase in the severity of his service-connected disabilities during the relevant period.

left ankle · bilateral foot

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's arthritis of the hands, stating that it did not manifest during or within one year after service and is not related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

arthritis of the hands

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been remanded. The Board needs more information about the Veteran's service records.

acquired psychiatric disorder

The veteran withdrew their appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), so the Board dismissed the case.

The motion for revision or reversal of a Board decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was dismissed because the surviving spouse lacked standing.

migraine headaches

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that his asbestosis was at least as likely as not due to asbestos exposure during active service.

asbestosis · oat cell lung cancer

The Board remanded all issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including heart disability and peripheral neuropathies. The Veteran's claims are being sent back for additional development.

heart disability · peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity · peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity · peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity · peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity · residuals of a stroke

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, so he is granted a rating of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

lumbar spine IVDS · left lower extremity radiculopathy · right lower extremity radiculopathy

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 40% for their back condition. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing the criteria for a higher rating were met.

lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine

Service connection for psoriatic arthritis is granted, but not for other types of arthritis.

psoriatic arthritis · arthritis other than psoriatic

The Board remanded the case to gather more information about the veteran's liver disorder and its potential connection to herbicide agent exposure or service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

liver disorder

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for right knee degenerative joint disease was denied, but a higher rating for right knee instability was granted.

right knee degenerative joint disease · right knee instability

The veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for hearing loss were denied, but the claim for TDIU was granted.

hearing loss of the left ear · hearing loss of the right ear · PTSD

The appeal for service connection of a neck disability was dismissed because the veteran died while it was pending.

neck disability