Real decisions, in plain English

The Board remanded all issues related to service connection for cervical spine, low back, left hip, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions.

cervical spine disability · low back disability · left hip disorder · left ankle disorder

The Board remanded the case to further develop evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and other toxins during his service.

diabetes mellitus

The Board denied service connection for both hypertension and sleep apnea, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

hypertension · sleep apnea

The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 3, 2023 has been remanded. The Board will consider whether extraschedular referral is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD, as the evidence did not show that the veteran was unemployable solely due to his PTSD.

PTSD · Coronary Artery Disease

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a broken jaw was granted for specific periods. The claim for TDIU was remanded.

broken jaw · temporomandibular disorder (TMD) · muscle spasms · tenderness

The Board remanded all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, right and left shoulder disorders, bilateral foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and a bunion on the left foot. The Veteran's lay statements were not adequately addressed in previous examinations.

bilateral pes planus · right shoulder disorder · left shoulder disorder · bilateral foot disorder (plantar fasciitis) · bunion on the left foot

The Board remanded the appeal to obtain a new retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease. The previous opinions were inadequate.

lumbosacral strain · degenerative arthritis · degenerative disc disease

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and neck disabilities due to procedural issues.

right shoulder disability · neck disability

Service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine is granted. The Veteran's current DDD is related to an in-service back injury caused by a hard helicopter landing.

degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine

The veteran was granted a 70% rating for PTSD before August 23, 2012, and a 100% rating thereafter. The effective date for DEA benefits prior to July 7, 2010, was denied. An August 12, 2012, effective date for SMC at the housebound rate was granted.

PTSD · TBI

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of their right knee patellofemoral syndrome was granted, effective June 4, 2007. The Board assigned a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5261.

right knee patellofemoral syndrome

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating higher than 10% for left knee limitation of flexion and extension. The veteran's left knee range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

left knee limitation of flexion · left knee limitation of extension

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's skin disorder, resolving doubt in favor of the veteran.

skin disorder

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) prior to January 10, 2022. The decision was made due to the Regional Office's failure to comply with previous directives.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death and DIC because there was insufficient evidence to prove that his CLL was related to his military service or radiation exposure.

chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

The veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability prior to February 7, 2021, and restoration of a separate 10 percent rating for a shell fragment wound of the left thigh. Other issues were denied or remanded.

left knee painful motion (limitation of flexion) · left knee instability · shell fragment wound of the left thigh · shell fragment wound of the left ankle · left peroneal nerve disability

The appeal for compensation of a right thumb disability has been remanded. The Board needs more information to decide if the Veteran's surgery caused additional disabilities.

right thumb disability · carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) · nonunion of the right thumb proximal phalanx

The appeal for a higher rating of hypertension is remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The Board needs more information on how hypertension affects other conditions.

hypertension

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, a heart condition, and a back condition due to unresolved issues requiring further clarification.

hypertension · heart condition · back condition