Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's right hip femoral acetabular impingement syndrome (flexion) did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia was found to be noncompensable based on lack of recurrent or well-supported condition.

Right Hip Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome (Flexion) · Bilateral Inguinal Hernia

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for GERD and allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, as there is no documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture causing dysphagia requiring daily medications or dilatation more than once per year. For allergic rhinitis, the Veteran's symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a compensable rating due to lack of polyps and obstruction.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) · Allergic rhinitis

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantial gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

diabetes mellitus type II · right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy · right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy · bilateral foot disabilities · left thumb disability

The Veteran's GAD was granted a 100% rating effective August 1, 2023. The appellant is eligible for attorney fees from the past due benefits awarded in this decision.

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

chronic bronchitis

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, recurrent kidney disability, and recurrent headache disability due to a pre-decisional error in failing to provide VA examinations.

hypertension · recurrent kidney disability (including hypertensive kidney disease) · recurrent headache disability

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is causally related to his service-connected persistent depressive disorder.

sleep apnea

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve were each granted initial ratings of 20 percent, effective from the date service connection was awarded (March 2, 2024).

Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Sciatic Nerve · Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Sciatic Nerve

The Board dismissed the appeal for obstructive sleep apnea as the appellant's attorney requested to withdraw the appeal.

obstructive sleep apnea

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is being remanded due to the failure to obtain his service records from his first enlistment period (1971-1974) and verify his claimed in-service stressors. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to address all of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and his complete medical history.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, unspecified

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to a procedural error.

Traumatic Brain Injury

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and needs additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and his incontinence.

incontinence

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, stomach disability, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions.

Headache · Acquired Psychiatric Disability (Depression) · Stomach Disability · Erectile Dysfunction

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right ankle was granted with an initial evaluation of 10 percent effective September 17, 2018. The Board has now granted a higher rating but is remanding to determine if an even higher rating is warranted.

Osteoarthritis of the right ankle

The Board has decided to remand the cases for new VA examinations due to inadequate opinions in the July 2020 VA examination reports. The Veteran's right shoulder disorder, left ankle disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are being reviewed again to determine if they are related to his active duty service.

right shoulder disorder · left ankle disorder · lumbar spine disorder

The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision for an increased PTSD rating and denied TDIU.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Veteran's GERD was characterized by persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, causing considerable impairment of health. The Board granted a disability rating of 30 percent for GERD.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

The Veteran's PTSD, OCD, GAD, and unspecified depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent disabling. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCS) · Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) · Unspecified Depressive Disorder

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and lower back disabilities due to incomplete information about the Veteran's duty status during his periods of active service in the National Guard and Reserves.

left knee disability · lower back disability

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity neuropathy are rated at 50 percent each, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU is granted based on service-connected migraine headaches.

Right Upper Extremity Neuropathy · Left Upper Extremity Neuropathy