Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding treatment records from his VA medical center.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral flatfeet with degenerative arthritis prior to July 31, 2020 is denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of a higher rating.

Bilateral Flatfeet with Degenerative Arthritis

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected chronic diarrhea is remanded due to the inadequacy of the August 2020 examination report, which did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication on his condition.

Chronic Diarrhea

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a right knee disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection as there was no in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology.

chronic fatigue syndrome · fibromyalgia · right lower extremity radiculopathy · left lower extremity radiculopathy · right knee disorder

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is etiologically related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

lumbar spine disability

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's deviated nasal septum, finding that there were no compensable symptoms and that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

deviated nasal septum

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was denied as the criteria were not met. The Veteran did not have a combined rating of 100% disabling prior to April 27, 2023.

The Veteran's effective date for service connection of left leg amputation and associated scars, as well as SMC based on loss of use of the left leg, is set to January 28, 2022. The effective date for DEA eligibility is also set to January 28, 2022. An effective date prior to January 28, 2022, was denied for service connection of chronic headaches.

left leg amputation · chronic headaches

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection with a 10% disability rating effective August 8, 2023. Service connection for right hand and thumb disabilities as well as right wrist sprain were also granted. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for compensation.

tinnitus · right hand disability (including thumb) · right wrist sprain · bilateral hearing loss

The Veteran's death prevented the appellant from being recognized as a substitute claimant for accrued benefits purposes. The Board denied the request due to lack of evidence showing eligibility and no indication that the appellant bore expenses related to the Veteran's last sickness and burial.

The Board has vacated its decisions granting service connection for lung cancer and remanding issues of tinnitus and TDIU, but the Veteran's death means these appeals are dismissed.

lung cancer · tinnitus

The Board granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, effective March 2, 2017.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sleep apnea, post-traumatic stress disorder, and urinary frequency as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

irritable bowel syndrome · sleep apnea · post-traumatic stress disorder · urinary frequency

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition and left shoulder condition due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as VA failed to provide the Veteran with VA examinations and medical opinions to assess the nature and etiology of his conditions.

Cervical spine condition · Left shoulder condition

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment, so a higher disability rating of more than 70 percent is denied.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date earlier than November 14, 2019 and an initial compensable disability rating has been withdrawn.

anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome with chronic right lower quadrant abdominal pain

The Veteran's hypertension, left knee scar, and erectile dysfunction have been granted a 10 percent rating each. The effective date for these awards is January 1, 2025. An earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.

hypertension · left knee surgical scar · erectile dysfunction

The Board denied service connection for a right thumb disability with nerve damage, finding no credible evidence of an in-service injury and insufficient medical opinion to support the claim.

Right thumb disability with nerve damage

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, standing alone, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from July 19, 2010, through October 17, 2017.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Major depressive disorder