Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for calluses of the bilateral feet is remanded due to incomplete development. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and timeliness of an appeal for PTSD and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder has been granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding the remaining issues.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral orchialgia with hydroceles is denied as there is no evidence of atrophy or removal of testes, and the disability does not meet criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's left eye cataracts are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or any in-service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he failed to provide the necessary information and forms requested by VA.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, hair loss, and a right temple skin disorder (sore) due to lack of current disability evidence.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have a currently diagnosed respiratory disorder or hair loss during the appeal period.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 12, 2013 for the award of additional compensation for the Veteran's dependent spouse. The decision is based on evidence received within one year of VA's request for such evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for breast cancer, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's breast cancer is causally related to her active duty service. The appeal was based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left foot fracture is denied as the symptoms are not more than moderate in severity and do not impact his ability to work.

The Board has decided to remand the case because it needs to obtain updated medical records from the Veteran's VA Medical Center in Hampton.

The Veteran's cause of death was from acute mixed drug intoxication, which the Board found not related to his service. The appellant did not have a pending claim for accrued benefits at the time of her husband's death and filed her application over six years later. She also does not meet the income requirements for survivor’s pension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg disabilities due to a lack of a VA examination. The examiner is required to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current leg disabilities and his reported exposure to lead in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck spasms are related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 was denied because his single period of active service from February 2012 to July 2016 has already been used to qualify him for Chapter 30 benefits, and he cannot use the same period again.

The Veteran's service connection for a dental condition is denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying in-service trauma or disease. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a compensable dental disorder and thus is not eligible for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition related to cold injuries in the Veteran's upper or lower extremities, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has decided to reconsider the previously denied claim of service connection for a brain condition. The case is now remanded due to missing private medical records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for left shoulder tendonitis prior to March 28, 2014, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent on or after March 28, 2014 is dismissed. The claim for service connection for an osseous defect of the left thigh with left medial distal knee pain (claimed as superficial thrombophlebitis of the left inner thigh) has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's service connection claim for superficial thrombophlebitis of the left inner thigh is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional dependency benefits due to his second wife, finding that he did not provide notice of their marriage within one year as required by VA regulations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for medical reimbursement, thus the case is dismissed.