Real decisions, in plain English

The Veteran's 50% disability rating for migraine headaches was restored as the evidence did not show actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

Migraine Headaches · Post-Traumatic Headaches

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, right shin, and left shin disabilities manifested by pain causing impairment in earning capacity. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms during service.

right shoulder disability · right shin disability · left shin disability

The Veteran's migraine headaches are productive of very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks capable of producing severe economic inadaptability. The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches.

migraine headaches

The Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain, service connection for left leg pain (claimed as joint pain), and service connection for a left ear hearing condition are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

Cervical strain · Left leg pain (claimed as joint pain) · Left ear hearing condition

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his unspecified neurocognitive disorder, which was diagnosed after a September 2021 heart surgery. The issues are about service connection on the merits.

unspecified neurocognitive disorder · acquired psychiatric disorder

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the lowest possible rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were intermittent and did not significantly impair his occupational or social functioning.

Psychiatric disability

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

Acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder) · Major depressive disorder

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity is denied. The claims for an increased rating for strain of the right hip with limitation of extension and Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

Radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity · Strain of the right hip with limitation of extension

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining wage data from SSA to determine if the Veteran's earnings were above the poverty level in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The TDIU case is also being remanded due to inconsistencies regarding the Veteran's employment status.

PTSD · Chronic Worsening

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer but remanded the claim for PTSD due to insufficient verification of stressor incidents.

prostate cancer · posttraumatic stress disorder

The Board has restored the 10 percent ratings for left hand index finger swan neck deformity with open tuft fracture of the distal phalanx due to crush injury and left hand long finger swan neck deformity, effective February 1, 2023.

left hand index finger swan neck deformity with open tuft fracture of the distal phalanx due to crush injury · left hand long finger swan neck deformity

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral lower and upper extremity neuropathies, finding that they are related to his in-service herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).

left lower extremity neuropathy of the femoral nerve · left lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve · right lower extremity neuropathy of the femoral nerve · neuropathy of the left upper extremity · neuropathy of the right upper extremity

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is found to have begun during their active duty service and continues to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and has ordered the case back to the AOJ for proper notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.

sinusitis · hypertension

The Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected left renal cell carcinoma was reduced from 100 percent to 0 percent, but the Board has restored the 100 percent rating effective August 1, 2020.

left renal cell carcinoma

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) prior to August 18, 2022 were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

left leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) · right leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve)

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the claim was granted and effective from February 22, 2023.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) · Depressive Disorder

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, thoracolumbar spine condition, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Acquired Psychiatric Disorder · Thoracolumbar Spine Condition · Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The Veteran's right hand weakness of all fingers was first manifested in March 2021, and entitlement arose at that time. The effective date for the award of service connection is set to November 29, 2021.

Right Thumb Finger Weakness · Right Little Finger Weakness · Right Index Finger Weakness · Right Long Finger Weakness · Right Ring Finger Weakness

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

posttraumatic stress disorder · major depressive disorder