Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left knee was granted a rating of 50 percent for limitation of extension from February 15, 2017 to July 10, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for meralgia paresthetica of the left and right lower extremities due to obesity associated with a service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence showing that the lumbar spine disability caused or aggravated the meralgia paresthetica.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nodular sclerosis Hodgkin's disease claim requires further examination and development due to inadequate previous VA examination, potential exposure to Agent Orange during service in the Philippines, and need for verification of such exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for aplastic anemia as new and material evidence was not received, despite the submission of additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coccidioidomycosis as there is no current diagnosis of this condition and the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis and has also granted service connection for this condition. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis first manifested during or is causally related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for esophageal cancer, tongue cancer, and inner cheek cancer. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of esophageal cancer and the cancers were determined to be related to the Veteran's civilian tar exposure and previous childhood exposures.

The appeal regarding the waiver of an overpayment of $2,602.45 in education benefits has been dismissed as there is no remaining case or controversy for active consideration by the Board.

The Veteran's chronic pelvic pain from September 18, 2007 to November 29, 2009 was not controlled by continuous treatment and warrants a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any left disability, including arthritis, and whether it is related to service or preexisted service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an VA medical opinion that substantially complies with the terms of the November 2013 Board remand order and provides an opinion as to whether it was at least as likely as not that exposure to radar may have caused or aggravated the Veteran’s basal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's gastroenteritis is rated at a 10 percent rating, effective June 4, 2014.

The appellant is seeking additional accrued benefits due to his mother, who passed away without a fiduciary being appointed. The Board denied the appeal as the statute clearly states who is entitled to these benefits.

The Veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for medical care at a private hospital due to his high blood sugar. The VA has not provided records from the time he was treated at a VA facility, so these need to be obtained before making a decision.

The Board found that the appellant's substantive appeal regarding whether her husband’s income for VA purposes exceeded the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) was not timely filed, and thus denied the appeal.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU has been dismissed as the appellant's attorney requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diastasis recti is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran’s in-service pregnancy at least as likely as not resulted in her post-service diagnosis of diastasis recti. Service connection for hysterectomy is remanded due to lack of evidence on record regarding its relation to in-service pregnancy complications.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is reopened, but further evaluation by a VA specialist is needed to determine if any other immediate or contributory causes of the Veteran’s death are related to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neurological disabilities due to conflicting clinical records and the need for a more definitive medical opinion.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.