Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for metatarsalgia and an eye disability (claimed as blindness) due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for malignant pheochromocytoma metastatic to the lungs and bones, finding that it started during the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to recognize K.L.H. as a dependent child of the Veteran for VA benefits due to the two-year gap between the Veteran's death and the final adoption order.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's penile lesion and his service-connected epididymitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records, provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit evidence, and seek an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue and dizziness, both of which were found to be symptoms rather than distinct disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral upper extremity disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's right thumb fracture residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 17, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show more than a gap of 1 to 2 inches between the thumb and fingers with the thumb attempting to oppose the fingers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gout of the bilateral feet, finding that there was no nexus between his current disability and military service or his service-connected disabilities. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a direct relationship and found insufficient secondary service connection based on existing medical research.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran is entitled to a separate compensable evaluation for neurological abnormalities related to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD).

The Veteran's service-connected atypical chest pain and mitral valve prolapse were not found to be the principal or contributory cause of his death, which was caused by a motorcycle collision. The Board denied service connection for cause of death as there was no evidence of Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam and the cardiovascular disease that led to death was not related to service.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right hip strain, effective from October 3, 2007. The decision also grants a TDIU beginning June 11, 2015.

The Board found that the reduction in VA disability compensation benefits for concurrent receipt of active service drill pay was proper, except for six additional days which were improperly reduced. The appeal is granted in part and denied in part.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his bilateral foot conditions and for a TDIU claim due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of full consent documents and missing medical records. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left vocal cord paralysis is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing information on the Appellant's medical expenses and income for each year from January 2010 to present. The VA needs to provide a detailed accounting of these amounts.

The Veteran's right rotator cuff syndrome is found to be due to his service-connected left shoulder disability, and the appeal for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle disability was increased to 20 percent, effective November 14, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not support an increase beyond this level.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a neck disorder and has determined that he is entitled to service connection based on in-service injury. The appeal was successful.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant lacks standing to pursue the claims as he was not recognized as a proper substitute claimant.