Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board denied the veteran's claim for Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) benefits above the 60 percent rate due to less than 18 months of qualifying active service.

The Veteran's claim regarding the apportionment of his VA compensation benefits for the benefit of their minor children is being remanded due to the lack of a statement of the case addressing the original contention that the apportionment should not have been granted in the first instance.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for her service-connected skin condition (pruritis with dermatographism) was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating based on the current evidence of record, which includes treatment records and examination reports indicating that her skin condition affects less than 20% of her total body area.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues not explained at the hearing and incorrect information provided. The appellant is offered another hearing if she desires, and her request for additional evidence will be considered.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation should be remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder was incurred in service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's adjustment disorder and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Board has decided that the change in the Veteran's means test eligibility category from exempt to copay required for income year 2016 was proper. However, they have ordered additional development regarding medical expenses and SSA income status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic respiratory disorder, including pulmonary fibrosis, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current condition and his military service. The appeal is based on alleged exposure to ionizing radiation during Operation HARDTACK I, but the dose assessment provided by DTRA did not support the conclusion that the Veteran's condition resulted from such exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the appellant has a form or manifestation of spina bifida, except for spina bifida occulta. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left arm burn and pain disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected supraventricular arrhythmia with AV nodal reentry tachycardia is now rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period, including for TDIU.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence showing a service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death. The Board also found that the metastatic malignant neoplasm with unknown primary site did not have a direct link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives regarding provision of an audit reflecting the actual amounts the Veteran was paid during FY 2016. The case will be returned for a month-by-month audit of the Veteran's compensation account.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's stuttering condition and the need for additional treatment records.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neurological disorder, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. The remand is required because the previous VA examination opinion was inadequate and does not provide a reasoned medical explanation connecting the two.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left-hand disability, the propriety of reducing the right thumb disability from 20% to 10%, and an increased evaluation for the right thumb based on secondary conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise, and service connection for right elbow strain is granted.

The appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death benefits because she was not married to him at the time of his death.

The Veteran's right hand sprain is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition, as the previous one was inadequate and did not account for flare-ups or repetitive use.