Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected headache disability is remanded due to the lack of a proper VA examination, which may have influenced the initial decision.

Headache

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) as due to herbicide agent exposure, finding that he has not been diagnosed with DMII at any point during the period on appeal.

Diabetes Mellitus Type II

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is being remanded due to a duty to assist error by the AOJ in failing to notify him of his right to a pre-decisional hearing. The AOJ will be required to provide notice and, if requested, hold a pre-decisional hearing before remanding the case.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's condition was asymptomatic and did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

Hepatitis C

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise.

Bilateral Hearing Loss · Tinnitus

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

Bilateral hearing loss · Tinnitus

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities and a back disorder have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity · peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity · back disorder

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA-scheduled aid and attendance/housebound examination to determine eligibility for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner must address specific questions regarding the Veteran's ability to perform daily activities, including dressing, feeding, attending to personal hygiene, protection from environmental hazards, and confinement.

bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus · major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder mixed with anxiety and depression with alcohol dependency · traumatic arthritis, status post left ankle fracture · venous thrombosis, right lower extremity · venous thrombosis, left lower extremity · right ankle sprain · left foot degenerative joint disease with plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus · right foot degenerative joint disease with plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus · tinnitus · scar, medial left leg, painful · right wrist traumatic triangular fibrocartilage complex tear

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and onychomycosis (foot fungus), but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin rash, neck condition, and low back condition.

bilateral hearing loss · tinnitus · onychomycosis (foot fungus) · skin rash · neck condition · low back condition

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, and the Board has dismissed the issue.

posttraumatic stress disorder

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and ischemic heart disease are granted as they are presumptively associated with his conceded in-service herbicide agent exposure.

hypertension · diabetes mellitus · ischemic heart disease

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 28, 2019, for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of October 21, 2013.

obstructive sleep apnea · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee ankylosis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and increased ratings for MDD, limitation of right knee extension due to PFS, status post ACL repair and meniscectomy, and limitation of right knee flexion due to PFS, status post ACL repair and meniscectomy. The issue of service connection for GERD was denied.

Right knee ankylosis · Right foot plantar fasciitis · Major depressive disorder (MDD)

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for the claims of service connection for insomnia disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, pes planus, calcaneonavicular coalition bilateral feet secondary to right ankle sprain, and pes planus, calcaneonavicular coalition bilateral feet secondary to left ankle pain.

insomnia disorder · generalized anxiety disorder

The Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence supporting his need for personal care services. The Board will seek a medical opinion on whether participation in PCAFC would be beneficial.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected rhinophyma, finding that the obstructive sleep apnea was worsened by the rhinophyma.

sleep apnea · rhinophyma

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the merits as they have no jurisdiction.

left foot hallux valgus · right foot hallux valgus · left knee strain

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The claims for increased ratings and individual unemployability have all been dismissed.

right eye conjunctivitis · bilateral hearing loss · residual fractures of the left hand little finger · residual fractures of the right hand little finger · degenerative arthritis of the right knee

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ear sensorineural hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition had worsened since his last examination, and he is currently rated at zero percent.

Left ear sensorineural hearing loss

The Board has determined that the ratings for PTSD and TBI residuals should be separated, but remanded to allow for appropriate re-rating. The SMC benefits at the housebound level are also being remanded due to its inextricability with the rating issues.

PTSD · TBI residuals