Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's cold injury residuals of both feet are rated at 20 percent each, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Complex Integrated Cerebral Function Disturbance, claimed as a residual of Traumatic Brain Injury other than migraine headaches, is granted. The case is also remanded to determine if the Veteran qualifies for Special Monthly Compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The appeal is being remanded because the claims file lacks sufficient evidence to make a decision, including missing treatment notes and an evaluation of the Veteran's back brace.

The Appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's child for VA death benefit purposes, and the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at CMH on December 19, 2010 is granted because he has partial coverage under Medicare and the regulation previously barring such reimbursement no longer applies.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted effective January 27, 2015. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought has already been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether current nasal disabilities are related to service. A VA examination is needed to determine if any current nasal disability was caused or aggravated by an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for nerve damage to the left leg, concluding that there is no current disability and no nexus between the condition and military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 17, 2010, due to significant impairment in thought processes and communication.

The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder/Da Costa's Syndrome prior to August 26, 2016. The criteria for this rating have been met based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's breathing disorder, including his claimed Gulf War exposure. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claim for a skin condition due to herbicide exposure as it did not comply with prior remand instructions. The Veteran's lay assertions and VA treatment records need to be considered in the new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ring finger, bilateral foot, and cervix conditions have been denied. The claim for an increased rating of adjustment disorder has been granted with a 70% disability rating.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder, is rated at a 30 percent rating prior to January 27, 2015. A higher rating of more than 30 percent is denied since that date.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed because he failed to submit the required VA Form 21-8940, Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability within one year of being requested by VA. The form would have provided critical information necessary to adjudicate the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records, particularly regarding whether the Veteran had a stroke and any residuals thereof. The Veteran claims service connection for residuals of a stroke, which he alleges occurred after discontinuing use of Vioxx medication for arthritis.

The Veteran's death was caused by a disease presumed to be linked to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.