Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May [REDACTED], 2012, for the grant of service connection for cause of death due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The decision is based on a finding that there is sufficient evidence of record to support direct service connection for the Veteran's cause of death from the date of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TMJ disorder and bruxism are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for service-connected residuals of left little finger fracture, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, specifically requesting a copy of the Veteran's death certificate and obtaining a new medical opinion. The issues related to service connection for glioblastoma are still pending.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a skin disorder is granted, and the claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right hand tremors due to incomplete development of his records from Tarrant Neurology Consultants.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his inguinal hernia and service connection for his nasal disorder, to include nasal trauma. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the severity of his inguinal hernia and the nature and etiology of his nasal disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of teeth 7, 8, and 9 is denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service. The reduction in the evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from 40 percent to noncompensable effective January 1, 2019, was also denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for gastric ulcer is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for inguinal hernia. The issues of service connection for chronic pain syndrome and anterior aural nerve neuritis related to the inguinal hernia are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for residuals of a right-side hernia repair and an initial rating for a right hand index finger disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for the hernia repair was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. For his right hand index finger disability, he is granted an initial 10 percent rating based on painful motion.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral eye lattice degeneration is remanded due to incomplete VA records and the need to review all current eye pathology, including subjective visual disturbances and central corneal opacity.

The Board has granted service connection for uterine fibroids and anemia/menorrhagia, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bladder disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service urethra injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete SPRs and the need for updated VA treatment records. A VA examination is required to determine if adenoid cystic carcinoma / mouth lesions had its onset during service or is otherwise related to his service, including exposure at Camp Lejeune. Additional medical opinions will be needed in connection with secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's death was covered by VA-contracted care, allowing for the payment of nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Veteran's compensation benefits are subject to recoupment due to 87 days of drill pay during Fiscal Year 2009. The RO needs clarification on the exact number of days he was paid for active service and how many were unpaid.

The Board has remanded the claim due to the need for additional development, including translation of Spanish documents and a VA examination.