Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied the reopening of the issue of service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted since the final February 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's scrotal mass and bilateral varicocele have been granted an initial rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of decision. The scars on his trunk and extremities have also been granted a 30 percent rating.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion to address the Veteran's claims regarding his right hand disorder, which was previously remanded. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether any diagnosed right hand disorder is related to service and if it clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service.

The Board has granted service connection for atrial fibrillation secondary to a service-connected neurologic bladder condition, effective from June 9, 2010.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is rated at 60 percent, but not higher. The appeal for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ALS and entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's travel dates during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for additional dependency compensation on the basis that there was insufficient evidence to show P.C. was permanently incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday, and D.C.'s attendance at an educational institution did not continue after September 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran sustained a shrapnel injury to his head during service and finds that this injury is related to his active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for shrapnel in the head is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases in the February 2019 decision, and a need for a VA dental examination to determine if the removal of impacted teeth was treatment of a pre-existing condition. The AOJ must also secure a copy of the August 2014 VAMC dental denial and include a copy of 38 C.F.R. § 17.161 in any Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for residuals of head trauma consisting of left side facial numbness and loss of left eye vision were denied. The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tailbone and left eye disabilities due to a lack of current diagnoses in his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and needs further examination to determine if the Veteran's cause of death was related to long-term tobacco use alone, as well as addressing the private medical opinions from T.V., M.D.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records at the San Juan VA medical center. The AOJ needs to obtain these records and associate them with the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current hammer toe condition is related to his active duty service. The claim will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition, finding that there was no evidence of chronic or recurrent symptoms since service and rejecting her personal opinion as to the onset of her current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip is related to service, specifically exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's chest pains during INACDUTRA (inactive duty training) were the beginning of his heart attack. The case needs further medical evaluation to clarify this.

Service connection for neuroendocrine carcinoma is granted due to presumed exposure to water contaminants in Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for unspecified right testicle pain is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was not adequate.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of July 3, 2013 for the grant of service connection and increased disability ratings for various right hand conditions.,The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits have also been granted with an effective date of July 3, 2013.