Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's urinary and bowel disabilities are granted as secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability. The rating for the lumbar spine disability is increased to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § § 1151 due to a duty to assist error in the March 2016 VA examiner's opinion, which was not based on an accurate factual basis and did not adequately discuss important aspects of this matter.

The Veteran's death was not service connected, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits as her claim was filed within two years of the Veteran’s cremation but he had no pending claims for compensation or pension.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of residuals of bone fractures of the right hand.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and meniscal pathology, has been granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the entire period. A separate 20 percent rating is assigned for meniscal pathology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate examination, requiring further investigation and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colitis, a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of pruritis ani with rectal seepage, and TDIU due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected left leg post-phlebitic syndrome was denied as the evidence did not show massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the July 2017 decision, specifically regarding the cause of death. The Court instructed the Board to provide a new VA medical opinion on whether the Veteran's alcohol use was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death, neoplasm-stomach, is denied as not being related to service or any service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s stomach cancer to his active service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by nosebleeds, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sinusitis is not related to his active duty service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted recognition of G. as the Veteran's dependent spouse for VA purposes, based on his current marriage and prior valid marriages.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to its inextricably intertwined nature with another matter, specifically the issue of a compensable rating for uterine fibroids. The Veteran's urinary disability is being reviewed as it may be related to her service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's additional cervical spine disability was caused by or aggravated by VA treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was granted effective January 20, 2017. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement to this benefit is January 20, 2017, when VA received his intent to file a claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete STRs and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's service connection claim for a right hand injury is being reviewed again with additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for insomnia, secondary to PTSD and tinnitus. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board found that the Veteran's VRAP benefits were properly terminated due to a drop in his enrollment status below full-time, resulting in an overpayment of $1,981.07 which was validly created.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's residuals of laryngeal cancer on an extraschedular basis, separate from the evaluations already established.