Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are issues related to coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, and COPD that need clarification.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documentation related to the appeal for payment or reimbursement of medical services received at Yuma Regional Medical Center from March 13, 2014, to March 15, 2014. The AOJ needs to reconstruct and upload all relevant records.

The Board has decided that the file for the claim of entitlement to reimbursement for medical expenses cannot be located and requires reconstruction. The AOJ is instructed to reconstruct the record and upload all documentation related to the appeal to the electronic claims file.

The Board has remanded the case to have the initial determination made by the VHA after any appropriate development is performed, as the adjudication below did not address the benefit sought on appeal.

The Veteran's stomach condition, including gastritis, had its onset during his active duty military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hand disorders were denied, as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. His claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to April 19, 2016 was also denied, but his claim for an increased rating from that date onward remains on appeal.

The Board has decided that the record for this case is incomplete and needs to be reconstructed. The AOJ will upload all relevant documentation related to the claim of payment or reimbursement for medical expenses incurred on August 7, 2015.

The Board has decided that the VA payment or reimbursement claim cannot be processed due to missing documentation. The case is being sent back for the AOJ to reconstruct and upload all relevant records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide requested income and expense information for 2017 and 2018, despite receiving evidence in compliance with the request.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an independent medical opinion from a non-VA affiliated expert regarding the etiology of the Veteran's brain tumor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for mesothelioma and skin disability due to herbicide exposure, as there is new evidence received since the last decision. A VA examination is needed for the skin disability claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documentation related to the annual clothing allowance for the 2016 calendar year. The AOJ is instructed to reconstruct the record and upload all relevant documents.

The Board has ordered the AOJ to reconstruct and upload all documentation related to the Veteran's claims for clothing allowance for the years 2013 and 2014, as these records are missing from the electronic file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vision disabilities, including nuclear sclerosis, macular drusen, cornea degeneration arcus senilis, hordeolum internum and cataracts, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an ulnar nerve disability and denied service connection for the residuals of pericarditis. The ulnar nerve disability is due to a repetitive use injury during active duty for training (ACDUTRA). Service connection was not established for the residuals of pericarditis as there is no evidence that it occurred during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted due to the current flexion limitations. The claim for service connection of residuals from a right foot fracture is still pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to April 3, 2015, for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for basic eligibility due to lack of a permanent total service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disability of the face, back, and legs arose during or as a result of his active service. The claim for this condition is therefore granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documentation related to the clothing allowance claim. The AOJ is instructed to reconstruct and upload all relevant records.

The Board has denied service connection for testicular cancer, loss of creative organ, and infertility. Service connection for depression was also denied.