Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear scope of his claim and need for additional examinations. The issues are related as they involve spinal cord disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg condition as there is no current diagnosis or persistent/recurring symptoms of a left leg condition.

The Veteran's clothing allowance claim is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the use of his right hinged knee brace.

The Board dismissed the RAMP appeal for entitlement to an effective date prior to September 1, 2018, for the addition of the Veteran's spouse to his compensation award as it does not have jurisdiction over this matter.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the left foot is denied as there is no evidence that he has suffered anatomical loss or loss of use of a foot, defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's HIV infection and chronic thrombocytopenia were found to be service-connected, but the Board denied increased ratings for both conditions. The effective date for the 30 percent rating for HIV infection was changed from November 7, 2015 to June 27, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100 percent, allowing them to receive VA dental treatment for their conditions.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for dysthymic disorder was improper, and therefore restored the original grant of service connection.

The rating reduction for the Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder from 70 percent to 30 percent, effective July 1, 2014, was improper. The 70 percent rating is restored. Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to dysthymic disorder is granted.

The Veteran's neurofibromatosis and respiratory disorder are both being remanded for further examination and opinion. The rating for neurofibromatosis is also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal regarding payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Gateway Medical Center from May 22, 2012 to May 23, 2012. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to entitlement to VA survivor pension benefits, specifically regarding income eligibility and dependency status of a granddaughter. The decision is not about service connection.

The Board has determined that the contested claim procedures have not been followed and requires additional development, including providing notice to both the Veteran and his representative about the contents of the Appellant's September 2017 Substantive Appeal and affording the Veteran an opportunity to request a hearing. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral lower extremity vascular/arterial disease as secondary to his service-connected ischemic heart disease due to lack of medical evidence supporting a causal relationship.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's colon cancer is directly caused by his presumed in-service herbicide exposure and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left hand, wrist, and elbow disabilities due to service-connected loss of function of the left ring and little fingers. The Veteran is currently receiving a maximum disability rating for this condition.

The Board has not satisfied its duty to assist and the matter must be remanded to comply with the directives of the September 2018 Remand. The Veteran's request for a DRO hearing is also noted.

The Veteran's Barrett’s esophagus is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his service, specifically the exposure at Camp Lejeune.