Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knees are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's bladder cancer and its removal are being remanded for further development, including obtaining relevant SSA records and VA treatment records. The case will be reviewed to determine if the Veteran's condition is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral lower extremity circulatory system disability, including varicose veins, finding that the current disability was not incurred in or due to military service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has determined that the reductions of the Veteran's left and right foot disabilities from 100 percent to 30 percent, effective August 1, 2019, were proper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a blood disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to additional development being needed. The decision on these issues is pending.

The Veteran's appeal for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits was denied because his service from October 2008 to October 2009 was not considered qualifying active duty for Chapter 33 benefit purposes.

The Veteran's right foot peroneal tendinitis/hallux valgus has been rated at 10 percent since October 4, 2017. The Board denied a higher rating as the disability does not meet criteria for a more severe rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerosis obliterans and thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger’s disease), finding that there is no evidence of a present disability or causation related to service, including herbicide exposure. The claim was also not granted on secondary basis due to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for arthritis of the right hand was denied, and his TDIU claim is remanded to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for low testosterone treatment and insomnia due to incomplete development. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new opinions from VA clinicians.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for aortic abdominal aneurysm due to new and material evidence. The Marfan syndrome claim is remanded as it may impact other secondary service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right thumb disability, specifically related to flare-ups. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition and provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal and assigned July 2, 2015 as the effective date for the award of additional pay for his dependent spouse and child. The Veteran had a combined disability rating of at least 30 percent which entitles him to additional pay for dependents.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for a right hand condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for appendicitis, peritonitis, and bowel perforation as secondary to his service-connected residuals of duodenal ulcer, status post Billroth II, partial gastrectomy and vagotomy with pyloroplasty with GERD and esophageal stricture. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection and secondary service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disability, finding that there was no medical evidence to support her contention that her disability was related to her active duty service or her service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.