Other conditions decisions — 2019

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for mastocyte activation syndrome is granted, and service connection is also granted. The claim for a cyst on the ring finger of the left hand is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for HIV/AIDS as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's conversion disorder, residual of cerebrospinal meningitis with spasm of the hamstring muscles, is rated at 50 percent. Separate ratings of 20 percent for nerve damage in the left upper extremity and 10 percent each for nerve damage in the right lower and left lower extremities are granted.

The Veteran is owed $1,566.84 for retroactive payment of VA benefits from November 2012 through July 2014 due to an error in the previous determination.

The Board denied both the request for an effective date before August 1, 2013, for DIC benefits and the claim for accrued benefits. The Veteran died on July [redacted], 2013, and the Appellant was awarded DIC benefits as of August 1, 2013.

The Board found that the appellant did not have a valid enlistment and therefore is not considered a veteran for VA benefits purposes, leading to a denial of his claim.

The Veteran's right and left hip disorders, diagnosed as trochanteris pain syndrome, are service-connected.,A compensable disability evaluation of 20 percent for cervical strain and spondylolisthesis has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for MGUS as the evidence did not support a relationship between the Veteran's current diagnosis and his active service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune.

The appellant is not eligible for accrued benefits as she is not a child of the Veteran and there are no unpaid VA benefits due her at the time of her mother's death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a fracture of the right ring finger is remanded due to potential worsening of symptoms and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for congestive heart failure, as secondary to hypertension, due to insufficient medical evidence linking the condition to the service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for a bilateral heel disorder due to incomplete service treatment records and lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology of the condition. The Veteran's lay statements about prior injuries in service are considered, but further examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete research on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while serving at Takhli RTAFB. The AOJ is instructed to provide proper notice and conduct further research as requested.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to the Veteran's indication of catching and eating fish, which might have impacted his radiation dose exposure. The case is being remanded for further consideration.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for colon cancer and non-hodgkin’s lymphoma due to herbicide exposure because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities was denied because he did not provide the necessary information and forms requested by VA.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated examination and consideration of revised VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities regulations.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for an increased rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood and a TDIU. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and has deferred decision on the TDIU issue until after the increased rating is decided.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for polyuria and Schamberg’s disease due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The decision to terminate the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits due to excessive income is remanded because there are missing records from Social Security Administration regarding when her disability payments began.