Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.

sleep apnea

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) · Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of his education assistance benefits under Chapter 33 was granted, as the evidence showed he was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and could not complete his program within the original eligibility period.

PTSD

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to military noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal (GI) disability, and vertigo are remanded for further examination and opinion.

bilateral hearing loss · tinnitus · obstructive sleep apnea · gastrointestinal (GI) disability, to include acid reflux · vertigo

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disorder, as it is insufficiently addressed in the previous decision. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion.

Cervical spine strain

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the original decision, including failing to obtain an opinion on direct service connection and potential aggravation by a service-connected disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being returned to the AOJ for further review.

obstructive sleep apnea

The Board dismissed the appeal because the proposed combination of separate ratings for right shoulder joint replacement and right shoulder rotator cuff tear with post-traumatic arthritis to a single rating is not an appealable decision.

right shoulder joint replacement · right shoulder rotator cuff tear with post-traumatic arthritis

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

Cervical spine disability

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left ankle condition have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome · left ankle condition

The Veteran's cause of death is granted as service-connected, with the issue of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 being dismissed due to the grant of service connection.

cardiac failure

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

Lumbar spine disability · Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy · Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy · Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy · Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether it had its onset during active duty. The decision was made in favor of the Veteran.

sleep apnea

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the potential diagnosis. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review and consideration.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

tinnitus

The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

Bladder cancer · Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) · Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions are granted.

left knee degenerative arthritis · other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (psychiatric disability) · bilateral hearing loss

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for chronic depression.

chronic depression

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for heart attack, kidney stones, polycythemia vera, diabetes mellitus type 2, and psoriasis is remanded due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

heart attack (myocardial infarction) · kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) · polycythemia vera · diabetes mellitus type 2 · psoriasis

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of prostate cancer due to VA's failure to notify him of his April 17, 2008, elevated PSA test results and its failure to timely diagnose and properly treat his disease.

Prostate adenocarcinoma · Erectile dysfunction · Voiding dysfunction

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of stroke, finding that these residuals are secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

residuals of cerebrovascular accident (stroke) · hypertension