Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of evidence, and requests for additional records from VA and private sources are made.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no effective dates were assigned for any claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his respiratory and skin disabilities, as well as his bilateral knee disabilities. The claims are being reviewed on a direct basis given the conceded exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's heart disability claim due to outstanding private and VA treatment records, as well as incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine if she has a current heart disability related to her military service.

The Veteran's death was due to a pulmonary embolism. The appellant seeks service connection for this condition based on exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining the Veteran’s military personnel records and verifying his exposure to herbicide agents. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's death and his in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's inguinal hernia, finding that the most probative evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the current disability had its onset during or is etiologically related to active military service. The appeal was decided on the merits of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of right tibia and fibula fracture after December 2, 2015 was denied as his disability did not limit extension to 20 degrees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right and left hip trochanteric bursitis with limited flexion due to a lack of adequate examination, including consideration of flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the extraschedular rating issue for post-nasal septoplasty. The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to multiple myeloma, finding that there was no evidence linking it to his service or exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected mycosis fungoides t-cell lymphoma and the propriety of reducing his rating from 100 percent to noncompensable, effective June 1, 2016, is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed shrapnel wounds residuals of the right leg, and a VA examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's brain cancer, finding that it did not manifest within a year of his separation from service and there was no evidence linking it to exposures during his Southwest Asia service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's death is being reviewed for potential VA fault, but no new evidence or opinion was provided in this decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral arthritis of the hips, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service event and considering lay testimony and medical opinions.

The Veteran's cause of death was myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and was found to be directly related to service at Camp Lejeune. The effective date for the grant of DIC is set as June 21, 2011, but no earlier.

The Board denied effective dates prior to the specified dates for service connection of various ALS-related disabilities, including upper and lower extremity weakness, neck weakness with head drop, dysarthria, and dysphagia. The effective dates granted were July 5, 2005 for neck weakness with head drop; August 10, 2005 for dysarthria; and December 12, 2005 for dysphagia.,The Board also denied an award of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's pulmonary lung infection and aspergillosis were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Board found no additional disability resulting from the treatment.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including systemic lupus erythematosus, is denied as there is no competent and probative evidence that the condition was incurred in or related to service.

The Board has found a need for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any low back disability, including degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's service record only notes that he complained of pain in service, but there is also evidence suggesting current conditions related to his military service.