Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a lack of VA examination, and requests that a medical opinion be provided regarding whether gynecomastia resulted from the prescription of Risperdal/Risperidone for schizophrenia.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no longer a valid debt to be waived, and thus no issues remain for decision.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board found that his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not show severe symptoms such as recurrent hematemesis or melena.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand injury was a result of willful misconduct, and therefore denied service connection for residuals of an injury to his hand.

The Board has granted service connection for abdominal and pelvic cramping as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hysterectomy, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by her hysterectomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mantle cell lymphoma is as likely as not related to his exposure to chemicals during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of carcinoma of the gums, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and active service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected complete hysterectomy, fecal incontinence, and urinary incontinence from August 15, 2019, prevent her from engaging and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the Board finds that entitlement to a TDIU is granted starting from this date.

The Veteran's claim for dependent pay for his son, P.S., from May [REDACTED], 2009 to September 4, 2012 was denied as VA did not receive evidence demonstrating that P.S. pursued a course of study at an approved educational institution within the required timeframes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a jammed left ring finger, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the in-service injury and any present symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pancytopenia and myelodysplastic syndrome, finding that there was no reasonable possibility that these conditions were caused by exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, finding that refractive error is not a compensable disability and there was no current diagnosis of an eye disability other than farsightedness.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran's waiver of overpayment was granted in full, and there is no remaining allegation of error of fact or law for appellate consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for residuals of a left little finger injury, as well as his request for extraschedular consideration. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral metatarsalgia, finding that his current condition is related to his active duty service. The respiratory disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a disease listed under presumptive diseases and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a relationship with service, including herbicide agent exposure.

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

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's meningioma, which is likely related to exposure to chemicals in service. The current VA medical opinion was inadequate as it did not address all chemical exposures listed.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative changes in the left knee are granted. Ratings of 20 percent for lumbar degenerative changes with narrowing of L5-S1, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are also granted.

The Board has decided that more development is necessary before the service connection claim for residuals of vasectomy, to include pain and swelling, can be adjudicated. The Veteran's testimony indicates he experienced scrotal pain and swelling since his in-service vasectomy performed in December 1995. The Board finds an addendum opinion from a urologist is necessary.