Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for PFB is denied as the condition did not manifest through scarring or disfigurement during the appeal period.

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB)

The appellant is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, effective September 1, 2020.

bilateral hip disabilities · lumbosacral strain (lumbar spine disability) · migraines · irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) · hypothyroidism

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within a presumptive period.

bilateral hearing loss · tinnitus

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.

Right ear hearing loss · Left ear hearing loss

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected residuals of left foot 5th metatarsal fracture.

Obstructive sleep apnea

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is granted an evaluation of 70 percent disabling from February 4, 2013, and in excess of 30 percent from November 2, 2018. A non-compensable evaluation for headaches remains unchanged.

anxiety · depression · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The Veteran's OSA requires the use of a CPAP machine, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a child of the Veteran for VA benefits purposes, including survivor's pension due to her marriage and subsequent divorce.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during active service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

tinnitus

The Board has determined that new evidence has been received to reconsider the claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

chronic kidney disease (CKD) · acquired psychiatric disorder (likely AUD)

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are more likely than not related to his military service.

Right Knee Condition · Left Knee Condition

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

hypertension · degenerative disc disease (DDD) with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure and current diagnosis.,The Veteran's Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is granted due to presumptive service connection for exposure at Fort McClellan, Alabama.,The Veteran's status post total shoulder replacement, to include degenerative arthritis, is granted as incurred in service.,The Veteran's scar, residual right shoulder surgery, is granted as it is related to his now service-connected status post total shoulder replacement.

obstructive sleep apnea · bilateral tinnitus · Non-Hodgkin lymphoma · status post total shoulder replacement, to include degenerative arthritis · scar, residual right shoulder surgery

The Veteran's asthma and chronic bronchitis are granted service connection due to exposure to fine particulate matter during his military service, with the presumption of exposure under the PACT Act for chronic bronchitis.

Asthma · Chronic Bronchitis

The Veteran's partial pancreatectomy with chronic constipation is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria. The Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

partial pancreatectomy · chronic constipation

The Veteran's service-connected ankles, knees, and back have been granted initial 20 percent disability ratings.,Service connection has also been established for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine condition.

Left ankle osteoarthritis · Right ankle osteoarthritis · Degenerative arthritis of the right knee · Degenerative arthritis of the left knee · Spondylosis of the lumbar spine with disc derangement and a herniated disc · Lumbosacral radiculopathy

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The decision found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of current right ear hearing loss.

left ear hearing loss · right ear hearing loss

The Board has determined that there were errors in the VA medical opinions related to the Veteran's heart disorder and right hand disorders, and thus these claims are being remanded for further development.

Heart Disorder · Right Hand Disorders

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, which the Veteran contends is related to in-service helicopter incidents. The decision finds that the evidence supports a finding of a nexus between the current condition and service.

other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder

The Veteran's tension headaches, which have been service-connected since the grant of service connection, are found to be very frequent and completely prostrating with prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board grants an initial 50 percent rating for tension headaches prior to December 1, 2020.

Tension headaches