Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for entitlement to aid and attendance allowance for E.V. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest and sepsis, was found to be a complication of his service-connected recurrent adenoid cystic carcinoma (presumptively caused by herbicide exposure). Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death was pneumonia with additional disabilities, including a recent massive pulmonary embolism, severe peripheral vascular gangrene of the right great toe, and an old cardiovascular accident. The VA examiner found that none of these conditions are related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's stomach condition is rated at 10 percent, the lowest possible rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right and left calcaneus foot deformities are rated at 30 percent effective April 26, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for urticaria, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current urticaria had its onset in service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the appellant can be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA DIC purposes, and to obtain missing records from the claims file. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's bilateral heel disorders have worsened since his last VA examination, and he should be afforded a new examination to assess the current level of impairment. His symptoms are considered on an extra-schedular basis due to their impact on employment.

The Board has found that the reduction from a 20 percent rating to a noncompensable rating for limitation of motion of the left thumb was improper. The Veteran's appeal is now remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for oligozoospermia was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for any of the relevant diagnostic codes, and there is no indication that it results in impairment not already contemplated by the VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health condition has rendered him unable to protect himself, necessitating regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health condition has rendered him unable to protect himself, necessitating regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing clinical records and unclear enrollment status in VA healthcare system.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right leg injury was denied because the July 1976 RO decision is final and no new and material evidence has been received since then.

The Veteran's additional heart disability, including complete heart block and need for a permanent pacemaker, was caused by VA's carelessness in the tricuspid valve replacement surgery. The Board found that this constituted a qualifying disability under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's brain cancer onset during active duty or ACDUTRA, and a supplemental opinion is needed from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vitiligo is remanded due to the need for a supplemental addendum opinion regarding whether his pre-existing vitiligo was aggravated by military service and exposure to Gulf War chemicals and environmental exposures.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute leukemia, which the VA Board of Veterans' Appeals determined was due to herbicide agent exposure during his service in Vietnam. The Board found that there is a 50% likelihood that the leukemia was caused by this exposure and granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, including the left eye with a retinal macroaneurysm post-laser surgery, has changed in severity or otherwise. A VA examination is needed to clarify the conflicting findings and determine if there is central vision impairment due to the scar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of macular degeneration was dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.