Other conditions decisions — 2018

The appeal is dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and as a result, the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has granted service connection for diffuse arthritis and other orthopedic residuals as secondary to the service-connected SLE, and a total 100 percent disability rating for SLE with dermatitis, hair loss, anxiety disorder, and diffuse arthritis and other orthopedic residuals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for panic disorder and TDIU due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA records and a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the staged ratings assigned for his service-connected right knee disabilities, and as a result, the issues are dismissed.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that the application was received by VA in October 2015 and thus the effective date is November 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with its December 2015 remand instructions regarding an opinion from a VA oncologist on the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death, specifically related to Camp Lejeune exposure.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal regarding service connection for a stomach disability, as the Veteran did not wish to pursue it.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various foot disabilities, upper back disability, left knee and ankle disabilities as secondary to bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of laceration of the right hand with severance of extensor tendons 3 and 4, status post repair. The case is being sent back for a VA examination.

The Veteran's child, R.A.M., was granted additional dependency benefits from October 25, 2014 through June 11, 2015 due to her continued school attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation higher than 20 percent for bilateral pes cavus with hammer toe deformities and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination by a podiatrist or orthopedic foot specialist.

The Board denied service connection for hyperlipidemia, finding that it is not a disability for VA benefits purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for residuals of dental trauma, including a left maxillary cyst, as there is no evidence to support that his current condition was caused by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal and squamous cell carcinoma is remanded due to the need for a VA examination. His dental condition claim also requires additional development, including obtaining treatment records from his separation in 1972.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lichen planopilaris, specifically whether it is related to service or any exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's cause of death is determined to be service-connected, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for dental disease due to diabetes mellitus because the opinion provided was inadequate and more evidence is needed. The Veteran's ongoing treatment records should be obtained, and a VA examination should be scheduled.

The Veteran's detrusor failure with urinary retention is not considered to be due to VA care, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is rated at 50 percent, and his left knee disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition. The case is remanded to schedule a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted the Appellant's claim for accrued benefits, finding that she is entitled to $2,318.00 due to her mother's funeral expenses.