Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine is rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that esophageal cancer was not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal for entitlement to an effective date earlier than December 31, 2015, for additional dependency benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening the claim of service connection for left long thoracic nerve palsy and Sjogren’s syndrome is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims, but remands them due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. The Board has remanded for further development regarding increased ratings and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected onychomycosis of the toenails is rated at 10 percent and denied for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left eye disability and a blood disorder due to incomplete personnel records from his National Guard service. The RO is instructed to obtain these records, as well as private treatment records from Dr. Redmond and Dr. Garcia.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for fecal incontinence from May 28, 2013 to June 26, 2018 was denied as the evidence did not show extensive leakage or fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for left and right heel disabilities are denied, but has remanded his claim for a higher rating for his back disability.

The Veteran's compensation benefits were retroactively adjusted based on drill days completed in FY 2016, resulting in a debt of $4,887.65. The case is being remanded to complete an audit regarding the number of drill days and offer the Veteran the opportunity to waive VA compensation or pension for military pay.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the appellant's service as a guerrilla in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. The appellant must provide additional evidence from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and NARA, which now holds the responsibility for verifying such service.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disability and denied service connection for bilateral eye, bronchial, and respiratory disabilities. The decision on the bronchial and respiratory issues is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knees were denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an ulcer, initial evaluations for bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurring, evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and entitlement to a TDIU due to outstanding treatment records and incomplete examinations. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper communication with the appellant and the need to locate her current address. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is being reconsidered.

The Board has decided that there is a discrepancy in the retroactive compensation payments received by the Veteran and the amounts deposited into his bank account. The case is being remanded to complete an itemized audit to determine the correct amount of retroactive compensation owed.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance. The Court has ordered a remand due to incomplete records, specifically psychiatric treatment records from April 5, 2016; June 22, 2016; and October 5, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to the failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) for the hip disorder claim. The neck disorder claim is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of deep vein thrombosis of the left lower extremity and bilateral pulmonary embolism, finding that these conditions had their onset during active duty for training in March 2006. The decision is based on a direct link between the Veteran's in-service symptoms and his current disabilities.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, so the appellant is not eligible for service-connected burial benefits.