Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and multiple bilateral lower extremity disabilities require regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on this need.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Multiple bilateral lower extremity disabilities

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

bilateral hearing loss

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified insomnia disorder.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

An initial 30 percent rating for radiculopathy, right upper extremity, is granted.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, left upper extremity, is denied.

Radiculopathy, right upper extremity · Radiculopathy, left upper extremity · Osteoma, left hip · Tinnitus

Your appeal for service connection for renal cell carcinoma with partial nephrectomy has been dismissed because the issue was already validly appealed in a previous docket number.

renal cell carcinoma · partial nephrectomy

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, COPD, emphysema, hypertension, and a stroke. The VA examiner found these conditions less likely than not related to his in-service toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).,The Board finds the VA examination opinions inadequate due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's potential exposures during active-duty service.

Bilateral Hearing Loss · Aortic Aneurysm · Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) · Emphysema · Hypertension · Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) (claimed as Stroke)

The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Lumbar strain · Left lower extremity radiculopathy

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

cervical spine disorder

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee arthritis, and bilateral knee instability. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible lay evidence regarding the onset of symptoms in service.

right knee meniscal tear · right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear · right knee degenerative arthritis · left knee degenerative arthritis · bilateral knee instability

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition and right knee condition, finding no current disability or causal relationship to service. The left ankle disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for the right knee osteoarthritis was granted based on a current diagnosis, but not established by in-service injury or disease.

lower back condition · right knee condition

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve have been granted a 40 percent rating, while his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve have been granted a 30 percent rating.

Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve · Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve · Left lower extremity radiculopathy of femoral nerve · Right lower extremity radiculopathy of femoral nerve

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.

Hypertension · Skin Condition

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions in the VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service.

obstructive sleep apnea

The Veteran's cause of death, glioblastoma, is determined to be due to his in-service herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

glioblastoma

The Veteran's appeal regarding attorney fees for past-due benefits awarded in a June 2021 rating decision is dismissed as moot due to the waiver of rights by R.V.C.

Acquired psychiatric disability

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and stroke as there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and the medical opinions were against a nexus to service.

coronary artery disease · hypertension · stroke

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy, lower left extremity (claimed as chronic sciatica, left side) secondary to the service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered proximately due to his service-connected conditions.

radiculopathy, lower left extremity · bilateral hearing loss

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is considered to have originated during his active service and continues today. The Board has therefore granted service connection for this condition.

Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back disability)

The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.

miscarriage · cervical spine disability · lumbar spine disability · right elbow disability

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatocellular carcinoma, which is secondary to hepatitis C, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

hepatocellular carcinoma