Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the matter is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues, and it is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated based on limitation of motion, with separate ratings for each knee. The right knee is now rated at 30 percent after July 29, 2019.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to esophagogastric adenocarcinoma, finding that there was no evidence linking the cancer to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents or asbestos.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions, which disqualifies him from participating in the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left foot hallux valgus and hammer toes, as well as his claim for TDIU due to insufficient consideration of painful motion in the VA decision. The case is now pending with instructions for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's MRSA infection and associated residuals. The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a residual disability of MRSA infection, which was not service-connected.

The case is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed additional disabilities resulting from his tapering of opioid medications, specifically whether they were caused by carelessness or negligence on the part of the Detroit VAMC.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's skin disorder and left leg disorder are being reviewed again to determine if they are related to his service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cerebral vascular accident, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the change in the Veteran's means test eligibility category from exempt to prescription copay for income year 2016 was improper and has remanded the matter for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a speech disability due to an absence of examination and consideration of all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound. The Board dismissed this issue as per the Veteran's request.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of dental surgery as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition was related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for partial loss of use of the left and right lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are manifestations of his service-connected knee disabilities.,The Board also denied service connection for a liver disability resulting in elevated liver enzymes, concluding there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic respiratory problems during or within one year after service separation. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a causal relationship between any in-service respiratory conditions and current respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of cold injury to the right hand, left hand, right foot, and left foot have been granted. The claim for a bilateral ankle disability due to cold exposure has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for essential thrombocytosis and bilateral leg thrombosis, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions and that they were not related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for varicose veins of both lower extremities due to inadequate previous VA examinations and outstanding medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder other than calcification of the lungs, finding that there was no nexus between the Veteran's current asthma and her military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically patella femoral syndrome and degenerative joint disease, has been rated at 30 percent since August 22, 2013. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show that the Veteran met the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.