Real decisions, in plain English

The Board remanded the claim for a compensable rating of the neck scar to obtain another VA examination and medical opinion, including a photograph.

neck scar

The Board remanded the case to determine if the veteran's dishonorable discharge bars VA benefits and to reevaluate service connection for body pain, right knee disability, heart disability, and sleep apnea.

body pain · right knee disability · heart disability · sleep apnea

The appeal for service connection of sleep apnea is remanded. The Board needs clarification on the baseline used to determine if PTSD aggravated the sleep apnea.

sleep apnea · PTSD

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of psychiatric disabilities, including schizoaffective disorder and PTSD. The veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents due to his service in Vietnam.

schizoaffective disorder · posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · Parkinson's disease

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's eye condition and higher ratings for hearing loss, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.

eye condition · hearing loss

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher ratings for coronary artery disease was partially granted. The veteran received a 60% rating from December 28, 2017 to August 14, 2020 but was denied other requested increases.

coronary artery disease (CAD) with angina, status post myocardial infarction

The appeal for service connection of a respiratory disability, including COPD and bronchitis, is remanded. The Board found the medical examiner's opinion inadequate and requires further development.

respiratory disability · chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) · bronchitis

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disorder other than of the ankle, foot, or veins was denied. All other issues were remanded for further action.

right leg disorder other than of the ankle, foot, or veins · stomach disorder · right ankle disorder · right leg peripheral vascular insufficiency (right leg vein disorder) · right foot disorder · back disorder

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for additional medical examinations and development to comply with a court order.

neck disability · bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy · left tibia fracture residuals · left knee arthritis

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for a deviated septum and for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

deviated septum · chronic sinusitis · allergic rhinitis

Service connection for COPD secondary to asbestos exposure is granted, effective from April 7, 2014. Other issues are remanded.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) · type 2 diabetes mellitus · chronic kidney disease · peripheral circulatory disorder · right lower extremity neurological impairment · left lower extremity neurological impairment

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome and left knee instability.

left knee patellofemoral syndrome · left knee instability

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis. The decision was based on the need to obtain outstanding private treatment records and conduct a new VA examination.

diabetes mellitus · hypertension · ulcerative colitis · diverticulitis · colon polyps · gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) · sinusitis

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for groin strain and compensation for residuals of status post open cholecystectomy were denied. The claim for service connection for memory disorder was remanded.

groin strain · residuals of status post open cholecystectomy with ligation of cholecystoduodenal fistula (status post cholecystectomy) · memory disorder

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a higher rating for right ear hearing loss. The Court found that a previous medical opinion did not adequately address key scientific findings related to noise-induced hearing loss.

left ear hearing loss · right ear hearing loss

The veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70% from April 9, 2017, to January 18, 2020, and TDIU was granted from April 9, 2017. However, a higher rating for PTSD beyond 70% and SMC were denied.

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · tinnitus

Service connection for the veteran's left ear disorder and cholesteatoma was denied because the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or resulted from service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

left ear disorder · cholesteatoma

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis was denied. The veteran was granted a 20% rating for right ankle LCL sprain with osteoarthritis and a separate 30% rating for right ankle instability.

chronic sinusitis · right ankle lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sprain with osteoarthritis · right ankle instability

The Veteran's request for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or adaptive equipment was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not result in the required level of impairment.

The veteran's appeals for service connection for several conditions were dismissed. However, the veteran was granted a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective December 26, 2015.

right hip condition · bilateral foot skin disorder · digestive tract disability · arthritis of the lumbar and thoracic spine