Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Reiter's Syndrome is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a hearing with a Decision Review Officer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg shin splints need to be further evaluated due to a lack of VA examination and remanded for such evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bruxism as it is related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence received since the last decision. The Veteran's representative requested a DRO hearing and reconsideration of the claim.

The Board has restored a 30 percent rating for primary insomnia effective July 1, 2016. The reduction from 30 percent to noncompensable was improper due to the Veteran's continued impairment under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left little finger disability.

The Veteran's peripheral arterial disease in the left lower extremity is currently rated at 40 percent as of January 5, 2019. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence showing claudication and trophic changes.

The Veteran's death from pancreatic cancer is denied as not related to service-connected conditions or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic gastric cancer, which the Board found to be at least as likely as not related to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. As a result, DIC benefits are granted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm is not attributable to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service was not considered active duty for the purpose of Chapter 33 educational benefits, as it did not meet the eligibility requirements. The claim is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for a nasal congestion disorder should be remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether his pre-existing respiratory difficulties were aggravated in service.

The Veteran's DIC benefits were not increased due to the fact that he was never rated at 100% for more than eight years prior to his death, and no additional monthly payments are warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if he has a current diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or its residuals, including functional impairment of the mouth or tongue.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for small lymphocytic lymphoma associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for substantial compliance with previous Board directives regarding his pay records and payment of education benefits.

The Veteran's trauma and stress related disorder is directly related to his in-service traumas, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his pleural plaques rating from 60% to 0% (noncompensable) has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be related to his service-connected delusional disorder and parasomnia, which contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied as the Veteran did not meet the statutory duration requirements for a total disability rating at the time of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and dermatitis.