Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's fatal brain tumor had its onset during service or was otherwise related to his military service. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these matters.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, so the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip strain and status post total hip replacement, finding that his current condition is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for service-connected adenocarcinoma of the prostate, status post radiation therapy was denied. The rating prior to February 12, 2013 was found not to meet criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating due to voiding dysfunction or urinary tract infection symptoms. For the period as of February 12, 2013, the Veteran's condition did not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating based on his reported symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinoma are at least as likely as not related to service, specifically sun exposure during active duty. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a genitourinary disorder and a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that his symptoms do not constitute a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness or are related to an undiagnosed illness.,Service connection was also denied for sleep apnea as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is in remission and not characterized by active disease, so a compensable disability rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ needs to obtain the Veteran’s complete personnel file and verify his exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand or at Johnston Atoll.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected anemia from January 7, 2013 to the present was denied as her hemoglobin levels did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for further examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's fistula in ano and/or impairment of sphincter control associated with internal and external hemorrhoids.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining DFAS records and resolving contradictions in the Veteran's DD Form 214. The debt validity and waiver claim will also be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's status post right lower lobectomy for poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung, finding that his condition is related to exposure to asbestos during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is related to his active service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disease and right foot cellulitis due to insufficient evidence, including missing medical records from after service.

The Board found the reduction from 20 percent to a noncompensable rating for service-connected bilateral conjunctivitis was improper and restored the 20 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hip disorder, specifically whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and obesity.

The Board has granted service connection for ankylosing spondylitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service chest pain and diagnosed during active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder of teeth numbers 9 and 10 for compensation purposes, finding that there is no evidence to support the claim. The appeal was also remanded for further development regarding the Veteran’s eligibility for VA dental treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that his current unspecified personality disorder is not related to active service.