Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to the passage of time and changes in the Veteran's condition. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to assess his current symptomatology, and all relevant VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's thoracotomy for left side pneumonectomy is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his disability, including the effects on shoulder girdle muscles and Muscle Group XXI.

The Veteran's shrapnel wounds to his head and back have increased in severity since the last VA examination, which did not note bleeding or instability. The case is remanded for an updated VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of verification for herbicide agent exposure in Guam, where the Veteran served. The AOJ needs to verify this information and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to respond.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, including arthritis, strain, and rotator cuff tear, finding that there was no evidence to support his contention that these conditions were related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death is related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, manifested as sleepwalking, is determined to have existed prior to his active duty service and was not aggravated by it. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for mesothelioma and a cardiac disorder related to VA treatment are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective May 1, 2013. The effective date is based on the day following his last day of employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right thumb fracture residuals with arthritis have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability separate from the service-connected right knee condition.,There is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for either thumb disability, and the existing evidence does not support an increase in rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of the right hand, left hand, and neck conditions have been reopened. The cases are now remanded to the RO for further development.,New evidence has been submitted supporting the reopening of the Veteran’s claims for a right hand condition, left hand condition, and neck condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for payment of nonservice-connected death pension benefits prior to October 1, 2012 due to her income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's death is not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or grave marker due to the appellant not being an appropriate applicant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records related to her disability benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer due to Agent Orange exposure is remanded. The claim for service connection for colon cancer due to ionizing radiation exposure is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear drum puncture due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions regarding the cause of death and whether otitis externa was erroneously added to the Veteran's death certificate. The VA is required to provide a new opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for additional monetary benefits due to his dependent son attending school at DeVry University is remanded because the AOJ did not provide evidence of when the school was removed from the list of VA approved educational institutions. The Veteran may be eligible for retroactive benefits if the school was still on the list until his 23rd birthday.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary fibrosis and calcified granulomas did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to November 18, 2015.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected right and left inguinal hernias, lumbosacral strain with thoracic DDD, and migraines have been remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).