Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for colon cancer as due to herbicide agent exposure and a hernia as secondary to colon cancer. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's liver disability, gastrointestinal disability (including esophageal varices and ascites), and blood disability (thrombocytopenia and leukopenia) as secondary to his service-connected liver disability. The claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions directly to service or a specific exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's chronic joint pain and its relationship to his in-service back injuries. The examiner will also assess whether the Veteran has fibromyalgia or other undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon, finding that there was no evidence linking it to service-connected disabilities or presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the retroactive payment amount and period of time, finding that the payments were correctly determined based on VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hand conditions due to insufficient development, specifically requiring an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a memory loss disorder, including as due to her service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and medications prescribed to treat it. The VA medical opinions provided in October and November 2019 concluded that the Veteran’s memory problems are not related etiologically to her service-connected RA or the medications prescribed.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no education benefit was granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected fractured fifth metacarpal, right-hand was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to limited range of motion and pain.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for calluses of both feet is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development. The issue will be reconsidered after obtaining private podiatric treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident and associated residuals, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete consideration of the overpayment created from FY 2008 drill days and FY 2014 active duty days. The AOJ needs to perform a paid and due audit detailing how the debt was created, including the portion due to FY 2008 drill days, the portion due to FY 2014 active duty days, and the portion of FY 2014 drill days not subsumed by active duty days. The Committee should also reconsider the waiver request if applicable.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right shoulder degenerative changes and tendonitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to her in-service motor vehicle accident.,Service connection is also granted for left shoulder partial tear distal supraspinatus tendon and tendinosis, which was previously denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a skin rash, claimed as jungle rot, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents, due to discrepancies in the rationale provided by the VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in the October 2019 VA respiratory examination and the failure to consider the Veteran's lay reports of breathing problems, including wheezing and diminished lung capacity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left lower leg condition and arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also noted that arthritis was not shown within one year after service.

The Board denied increased ratings for lichen planus of the penis and onychomycosis of the nails and nailbeds as there was no evidence meeting the criteria for a compensable or greater rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right upper extremity disability, a right lower extremity disability, and an eye disability due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's Lyme disease, which is considered active despite negative antibody tests, has been granted a 100% rating for the entire appeal period prior to June 4, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the onset of esophageal reflux disease and a need for further examination.