Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any current right leg diagnosis is related to service. The Veteran's injuries during service caused muscle strain in his right hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles, which have persisted post-service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for degeneration of the brain tissue and a cognitive disorder due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right thumb disability. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected right thumb injury, and the VA will need to schedule him for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's son, who turned 18 in September 2013 and was pursuing a course of instruction at an educational institution approved by VA, is not eligible for school-aged dependency benefits prior to August 16, 2016 due to the one-year time limit from his 18th birthday.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new evaluation of the Veteran's left foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hysterectomy as secondary to her service-connected ovarian cysts, finding that there is no positive medical nexus evidence linking the two conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for mid-esophageal adenocarcinoma, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his cancer. The Board gave more weight to the opinion of the VA examiner who concluded that the Veteran’s age, weight, alcohol use, and tobacco use were more likely than not the cause for his cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's liver cancer is service-connected due to exposure to asbestos, toxic chemicals, and metals during his military service. The VA will also consider if any of these exposures contributed to the development of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right optic nerve disorder has been denied as the evidence does not establish that his condition is related to active duty or any period of inactive duty. The Veteran was also not entitled to presumptive service connection due to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran died and the appellant is his daughter. The Veteran's spouse was awarded burial benefits, so the appellant cannot receive them.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right parotid gland carcinoma, claimed as cancer; dental and oral, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for memory loss as secondary to residuals from non-Hodgkins lymphoma, but remanded the issue of shortness of breath as secondary to residuals from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran was denied a waiver of an overpayment of VA benefits due to his failure to timely notify the VA when his spouse passed away, as he had a legal obligation to do so.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to suggest a link between the Veteran's metastatic carcinoma and his exposure to Agent Orange during active service. The Board also found that the Veteran's cause of death was caused by this cancer.

The Veteran's appeal for a medical expense reimbursement has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected orthodontic malocclusion is being reviewed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diverticulitis, finding that there is no credible evidence of an in-service event or injury that would have caused or aggravated his current diverticulitis. The Veteran's STRs are silent for any diagnosed or treated gastrointestinal disorder during service and current medical records show treatment for diverticulitis but do not offer insight into its etiology or possible connection to service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders and left foot disorder, but denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right hand. The Board found that the Veteran's foot disorders are related to his in-service exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's skin disability was granted a 10 percent rating prior to April 26, 2012 and denied any higher rating since then. The Board also remanded several issues related to shoulder, knee, ankle, hip tendonitis and bursitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with the legal standard applied and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran is entitled to a presumption of soundness upon entry in 1968, but must be determined whether his inguinal hernia preexisted service or was aggravated during service.