Real decisions, in plain English

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reconsider the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, left knee, right hip, and lower back disabilities. The claim for left hip disability is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

left hip disability · left knee disability · right hip disability · lower back disability

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective December 14, 2021. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder · Major Depressive Disorder

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity · peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity · peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity · peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines.,The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent.

Major Depressive Disorder · Degenerative Joint Disease of Cervical Spine

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively service-connected due to exposure to herbicides in Guam, supported by the PACT Act of 2022. The Board found it likely that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while in Guam in June 1978.

Hypertension

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis and laryngeal disability have been granted. The reduction of the disability evaluation for chronic sinusitis was improper, and a 50 percent rating is restored effective April 1, 2018.

chronic sinusitis with deviated septum, non-traumatic, status post repair · laryngeal disability (throat clearing, vocal cord paresis, dysphonia and sensory/motor neuropathy)

The Veteran's service-connected Depressive Disorder is causing him to require regular assistance in keeping himself clean and presentable, which may qualify him for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance. The case is being remanded to schedule a VA examination to assess this issue.

Depressive Disorder

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and right knee disabilities. The claim for a back disability is granted, while the claim for a right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient rationale in supporting opinions.

Degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine · Residuals, right knee meniscectomy

The claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence that may affect its outcome.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the Appellant, and no further action will be taken on her claim for VA educational assistance benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

coronary artery disease (CAD) · atherosclerosis · peripheral vascular disease (PVD) · varicose veins · irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and colon condition are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ must obtain new or addendum opinions from qualified clinicians, including possibly a GI specialist, to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his conditions.

back condition status post laminectomy · colon condition

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for thoracic spine disability and separate ratings for radiculopathy in the upper and lower extremities are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

Degenerative disc disease, thoracic spine

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Chronic Dermatitis were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's CFS did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms restricted routine daily activities to less than 50 percent of the pre-illness level. For Chronic Dermatitis, the Board determined that topical therapy was sufficient without requiring systemic therapy.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) · Chronic Dermatitis

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing problems are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

Bilateral Hearing Loss

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between any current disability and service.

Left Shoulder Condition

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to July 29, 2024. The GERD rating remains at 30 percent disabled but no higher.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hepatic steatosis have been denied. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed conditions.

sleep apnea · hepatic steatosis · rheumatoid arthritis

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and PTSD), and Parkinson's disease. The conditions are presumed to be due to exposure in service.,Service connection is established for all four claimed conditions.

lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease · headaches · an acquired psychiatric disorder (other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and PTSD) · Parkinson's disease

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability as there are no new rating decisions issued in the year preceding the Veteran's October 2025 Notice of Disagreement.

back disability · left knee disability · right knee disability