Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dry eye syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left ring finger is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether any current findings involving the left index (2nd) finger are related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is being remanded for further development and an opinion on whether it is related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the proposed reduction of the Veteran's Crohn's disease from 60 percent to 30 percent was not subject to appeal.

A higher 70 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's other specified trauma disorder, which results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in an April 2019 rating decision as there were no remaining issues of fact or law to be decided.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses associated with medical care on May 17, 2019, was denied because he filed his application more than 30 calendar days after the travel was completed.

The Board has granted service connection for glioblastoma, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The decision is based on a private medical opinion from Dr. D.O., who concluded that the glioblastoma was caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that a debt of $8,948 was properly created due to an overpayment in VA additional compensation benefits. The appeal for waiver of this overpayment is dismissed as the debt has been waived.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for overpayment of VA benefits and waiver of recovery due to a lack of timely submission of the request for waiver.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative changes, right and left knee lateral instability, as well as TDIU due to inadequate examination findings and need for additional development.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as claims do not survive their deaths.

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance due to his helplessness, memory difficulties, fall risk, and rectal bleeding. However, he does not qualify for housebound status as he can leave his home with assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's respiratory disorder is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA death pension benefits in the amount of $96,252.00 due to fault on the part of the appellant for not providing accurate financial information and because she had means to repay the debt without causing hardship.

The Board has granted the appellant's appeal for filing a timely substantive appeal and reinstated the underlying claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The Board found that the VA Form 9 was received in September 2016, which is considered timely.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right feet has been granted with a rating of 20 percent each. However, his request for TDIU remains pending as it was not initially addressed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's stroke residuals are rated at 30 percent for cognitive disorder and 70 percent for incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups of the right upper extremity. Other ratings remain unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he was properly compensated for his deceased spouse, M.B., and to provide the effective date of her addition as a dependent.

The Veteran's colon cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent from August 9, 2016. He is also granted a 100 percent evaluation for his colon cancer from August 1 to August 31, 2013.