Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic bilateral hip disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that her bilateral hip disorder was not caused by or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding when the Veteran first had a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, and whether it was manifested prior to June 13, 2013. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show such a diagnosis during active duty, but postservice clinical records indicate various psychiatric diagnoses in the early-mid 1980s.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral toe disorders. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these conditions were incurred in or related to his active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for Crohn’s disease as secondary to PTSD should be remanded due to new evidence added by VA.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, finding that it is etiologically related to his exposure to herbicide agents during active service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arteriosclerosis obliterans and PAD are related to his service-connected coronary artery disease, as they share similar risk factors. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered further development of the Veteran's claim for an overpayment under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code (Post 9/11 GI Bill). The remand includes obtaining a copy of the October 20, 2016 decision letter and updating the Veteran's contact information. Additionally, the Veteran is requested to provide a statement detailing the medical disability that was the basis for his leave of absence from school in September 2016.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has granted service connection for neuroendocrine tumor in the small bowel, finding that it had its onset during active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left elbow arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle cramps of the bilateral legs, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The remand requires a new VA examination.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, concluding that his stomach cancer with metastasis to liver was not related to his active duty service and did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, radiation, or asbestos.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts made to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records (STRs). The duty to assist was not adequately addressed in the previous decision.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection issues are addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current onychomycosis of his feet began during service or is related to in-service injury, event, or disease. The examiner must consider the Veteran's combat service and presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and thoracic outlet syndrome, finding no objective indications of qualifying chronic disabilities. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for residuals of a right leg amputation and left leg disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery for the overpayment of VA pension benefits due to underreporting income from employment in 2006 and 2008. The decision is against equity and good conscience, as collection would cause undue financial hardship.

The Board has remanded the case due to VA's failure to recalculate the Veteran's income and expenses after receiving updated information from the Social Security Administration. The Veteran needs to provide additional information regarding his income for the years between October 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019.