Real decisions, in plain English

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and dermatitis, but granted service connection for left deviated nasal septum. The Veteran's varicocele of the left testicle was already at its maximum schedular rating.

bilateral pes planus · dermatitis · left deviated nasal septum

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because the claim had not been properly filed in the modernized system and no good cause was presented to excuse the untimely filing of a notice of disagreement.

sleep apnea

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability was manifest by painful motion prior to March 28, 2025. From that date, the disability manifested as limitation of adduction due to inability to cross legs.,The Board found no evidence of limitation of extension or impairment of thigh prior to March 28, 2025.

bilateral hip strain

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson's disease and related disabilities of the upper and lower extremities, have caused loss of use in both hands and need for aid and attendance due to his lower extremity disability, kidney disease, and neurogenic bladder. The Board has granted SMC based on these findings.

Parkinson's disease · chronic kidney disease · neurogenic bladder

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip disability and other conditions like atrial fibrillation, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. He has been granted a total disability rating and statutory special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

Atrial Fibrillation · Left Knee Revision (Total Knee Replacement) · Total Left Hip Replacement · Obstructive Sleep Apnea · Low Back Strain · Sciatic Nerve Dysfunction, Lower Right Extremity · Sciatic Nerve Dysfunction, Lower Left Extremity · Left and Right Elbow Condition (each) · Painful or Unstable Left Knee Scar · Arterial Hypertension · Right Knee Strain (with painful motion and limited flexion) · Right and Left Elbow Limited Flexion of the Forearm (each) · Erectile Dysfunction · Right and Left Elbow Condition (limited extension of the forearm) (each) · Left Elbow Scars · Left Hip Scar · Right Knee Strain with Limitation in Extension (from July 24, 2021)

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type II · Tinnitus · Bilateral Hearing Loss

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, and a need for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's military occupation as a water safety survival instructor.

allergic rhinitis · sinusitis · left ankle disability · right ankle disability · left knee disability · right knee disability · bilateral flat foot

The Board denied eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a July 2024 rating decision for an increased rating of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

Psychiatric disability

Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a compensable rating for Dry Eyes Syndrome are denied.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea · Dry Eyes Syndrome

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and kidney disease, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) · hypertension · kidney disease

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right wrist disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome) and remanded her claim for obstructive sleep apnea.

right wrist disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome)

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

Arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD), status post CABG

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder is denied, while his OSA is granted. The initial evaluations for rhinitis, right knee disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and right shoulder bursitis are all denied.

Psychiatric Disorder · Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left knee strain, limitation of extension and flexion were both denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

left knee strain

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and its relation to service. The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and colon cancer are being evaluated for their relationship to toxic exposure during service.

atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease · colon cancer

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hernia, kidney disability, liver disability, and lung disability are related to his service-connected peritonitis. However, due to insufficient medical evidence, the claims must be remanded for further development.

Hernia · Kidney Disability · Liver Disability · Lung Disability

The Veteran's deviated nasal septum was granted service connection. The claims for anxiety and sleep disturbance, erectile dysfunction, headaches, acid reflux, hypertension (high blood pressure), irritable bowel syndrome, and jaw condition were denied.

deviated nasal septum · anxiety and sleep disturbance · erectile dysfunction · headaches · acid reflux · hypertension (high blood pressure) · irritable bowel syndrome

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain an adequate VA examination to evaluate the severity of these disabilities.

radiculopathy, right lower extremity with sciatic nerve involvement · radiculopathy, left lower extremity with sciatic nerve involvement

The Board has denied service connection for high blood pressure and a low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

High blood pressure · Low back disability

The Board has denied service connection for pulmonary nodules - left and right lungs, but has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

Pulmonary nodules - left and right lungs · Hypertension