Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim as his character of discharge for the period from May 25, 1990 to February 11, 1993 is a bar to VA benefits due to misconduct and a conviction by a Special Court Martial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left foot disabilities due to incomplete information in the record, including conflicting employment dates, missing workers' compensation records, and outstanding SSA records. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional information regarding his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiovascular disability, supraventricular tachycardia, and sinus bradycardia due to in-service Gulf War environmental exposures. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions or aggravation during service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for eosinophilic myalgia syndrome from 100% to 40%, effective April 1, 2008. The SMC for aid and attendance was also reinstated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include an eating disorder, manifested by obesity. The evidence did not show a current diagnosed psychiatric or eating disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for education benefits under the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for additional dependency compensation based on [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] attending school between the ages of 18 and 23 were denied due to procedural deficiencies, including failure to submit a timely notice of disagreement or new evidence within one year of the initial denial. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for additional dependency compensation as neither child was considered a school-aged dependent at the time their attendance began.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for endometriosis and service connection for gynecological conditions, including ovarian cancer, are remanded due to incomplete medical records. The claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial evaluation for ventricular arrhythmia, and as a result, the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a hysterectomy is being remanded due to unclear and inconsistent VA examination findings. A new VA examination is required to clarify the nature and severity of her condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits information. The Veteran may be in receipt of SSA disability benefits due to his reported blindness from cataract surgery.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for alcohol abuse disorder, drug abuse disorder, and avascular necrosis due to a lack of medical records supporting current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a left great toe injury and denied the claim for TDIU based on insufficient evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records that may confirm an in-service diagnosis of genital herpes simplex. The Veteran is requested to provide information about where he was diagnosed with this condition during his time in Okinawa, Japan.

The Veteran's cold injury residuals of the left hand, right hand, left foot, and right foot are being remanded for further clarification due to conflicting opinions from previous VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for respiratory disorder and chronic pneumonia due to asbestos exposure, as there is insufficient evidence to make a decision. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for restless leg syndrome, neck disorder, and edema of the penis have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,For PTSD, the Veteran was granted a 50 percent disability rating but not higher, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent or 100 percent rating. The Board found that his symptoms were more consistent with a 50 percent rating.

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 whether his MDS is related to these exposures or aggravated by his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records that may be relevant to whether the Veteran required aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The appellant is requested to submit or authorize for release any such records.