Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chin stitches as there was no evidence of a current disability and it was not caused by his active service. The new evidence submitted did not address these reasons.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities and for TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's use of VA educational assistance benefits. The AOJ is instructed to provide a clear accounting and determine how many months and days of full-time benefits the Veteran was entitled to, including addressing any discrepancies in award letters.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including squamous cell carcinoma and seborrheic keratosis, are not service connected as they were first diagnosed many years after separation from service. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence and further development is required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for VA to make a decision regarding the Veteran's hysterectomy. The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if her gynecological symptoms during service are related to her current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness and tingling of hands and feet, finding no current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as mild disc protrusion at L4 to S1, is service-connected. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of ongoing back pain during and after active duty.

The Veteran's service is being reviewed to determine if he served 'in-country' in Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for pension benefits. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's soft tissue sarcoma is related to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on Aid & Attendance is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for essential thrombocytosis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for frequent urination, secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the disability rating for compression fracture of L3 was improper and restored the original 30 percent rating. The claim for higher rating for residuals of compression fracture of L3 is remanded, as well as the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his right foot hallux valgus and left foot strain with hallux valgus deformity, finding no evidence of functional impairment equivalent to amputation or a moderate foot injury.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia. The decision is based on the presumption that these conditions are related to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Thailand.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear dates of service in Vietnam and potential exposure to herbicide agents, requiring further investigation.

The Board has determined that there are issues related to the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits and remands the case for further action, including consideration of the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.450 (general apportionments) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.451 (special apportionments).

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal, requesting that all issues be dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rash and blisters of the bilateral feet and legs is remanded due to new evidence received since the July 1985 rating decision. The Board finds that the Veteran provided enough information to concede an in-service event, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.