Real decisions, in plain English

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.

sleep apnea

The Veteran's initial claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a brain hemorrhage was denied. The reduction of the rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability from 40 percent to 20 percent effective April 8, 2015, and the reduction of the rating for service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) from 40 percent to 10 percent effective April 8, 2015, were granted.

Posttraumatic headaches · Brain hemorrhage

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

depression · schizoaffective disorder · a nervous disorder · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.

Cervical spine disorder · Psychiatric disorder (PTSD)

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

bilateral hearing loss

The Board has found that a remand is necessary due to the Veteran's assertion of worsening hearing loss. The case will be returned for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding medical records.

Hearing loss of the right ear

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the right wrist is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

CTS of the right wrist

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain records from Holly Hill Hospital. The Veteran was previously denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including GAD.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.

COPD

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.

onychomycosis · left ear hearing loss · right ear hearing loss

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

lumbar spine degenerative disc disease

The claims are being remanded to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities, including after his December 2017 surgery. The case will be returned for further review.

left ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease · right Achilles tendon repair

The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.

Hypertension

The Board denied the claims of service connection for cervical spine and skin rash disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

cervical spine disability · skin rash disability

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral spine disability and for TDIU based on that condition due to inadequate examination. The case is being returned for further development.

lumbosacral spine disability

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.

obstructive sleep apnea · peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities · peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. However, it was determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, thus denying both claims.

hearing loss · tinnitus

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Major Depressive Disorder

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to conflicting medical and lay evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD, his employability, and the relationship between his alcoholism and PTSD. The VA will obtain additional records and provide a supplemental opinion.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.

Low back disorder · Bilateral hearing loss · Chondromalacia of the left knee with posttraumatic degenerative arthritis and recurrent patella dislocations · Chondromalacia of the right knee with posttraumatic degenerative arthritis and recurrent patella dislocations