Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further verification of the veteran's service records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim as his discharge from service for the period from August 26, 1980, to September 16, 1983, was upgraded by the Navy Department Review Board to general under honorable conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding the service connection of a skin disability, including consideration of in-service exposure and assertions about symptom onset.

The Veteran's surgery for a hernia was not authorized by VA, and the treatment did not meet the criteria of being in an emergency situation. The Board found that the Veteran had not experienced a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

The Board found that the Veteran failed to maintain satisfactory conduct and cooperation, leading to the discontinuance of his Vocational Rehabilitation benefits. The appeal is denied.

The Board is unable to make a decision on the claim because the relevant medical expenses have not been provided. The case is being remanded for the AOJ to obtain and associate these documents with the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service. The Board found that the Veteran has been diagnosed with a personality disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cocaine use disorder but these conditions are not service-connected.

The Veteran's cause of death was respiratory failure due to pneumonia, with congestive heart failure as a significant contributing factor. The appellant claims the Veteran should have been service connected for his congestive heart failure due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. However, there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange and his condition.

The Veteran's cause of death, gastric cancer and cardiopulmonary arrest, is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and radiation during service, as well as his cause of death. Additional development is needed to determine these issues.

The Veteran's left foot arthritis with malunion of metatarsals was granted an initial compensable disability rating, but not more than 20 percent, prior to August 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypogonadism with associated infertility is denied as there is no evidence of complete atrophy of both testicles, which is required for a 20% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his left elbow disability and any related neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 10 percent evaluation of his service-connected pilonidal cyst is remanded due to new evidence received by VA.

The Veteran's right leg and foot disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent, but no more. The myositis ossificans of the right leg has a separate compensable rating.

The Veteran's left eye double vision resulted in diplopia within the central 20 degrees of vision, warranting a 30% rating from September 27, 2017. The condition is not service-connected and no presumption or secondary connection was established.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a higher rating for lower back strain and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information and/or evidence, including private treatment records from Dr. Flores.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 10 percent for right and left hand tenosynovitis affecting the thumb, index, and long fingers. The Veteran's sleep disorder and gastrointestinal disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records, particularly regarding the Veteran's left eye condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current eye disabilities, including dry eye syndrome and cataracts.