Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with its September 2017 remand directives, specifically regarding a VA examination that did not address whether the Veteran's complaints of shortness of breath were related to her pulmonary embolism or another cause.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically non-VA care eye treatment records. The Veteran's VA treatment records are also being obtained.

The Board denied service connection for rhabdomyolysis as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran's belief in a current diagnosis was not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, finding that the Veteran's injury was not incurred in the line of duty due to his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's hematological disability, characterized as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), is found to be related to his exposure to benzene during service. Service connection for MDS is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C resulted in the formation of oro-antral fistulas that required surgical correction, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and a need for an examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to recognize his current wife, E.T., as a dependent for increased compensation purposes. The decision is based on the Veteran's statements of previous divorces and the lack of conflicting information regarding these events.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for essential tremors and skin disability due to a need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right eye disability as there is no evidence linking the current condition to a service injury, and the Veteran did not seek treatment for an eye problem after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities, as there is no evidence showing that he requires such assistance.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to assess whether the current anemia is caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and peptic ulcer disease.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the appellant's immune thrombocytic purpura was incurred during his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for Barrett's esophagus and myleodisplastic syndrome, which are both linked to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on new evidence.

The Board has decided that the propriety of creating a debt due to recouping drill pay for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2009, 2010, and 2011 is unclear. The case will be returned to the RO for further clarification on the extent of any overpayment created and for obtaining new audit records.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hand disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no current manifestation of the condition within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's lay statements were outweighed by VA medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for posterior tongue squamous cell carcinoma, finding that there was no causal relationship between his condition and exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. The preponderance of evidence did not support a link between the cancer and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including verifying whether the Veteran's cardiac surgeon was a VA employee and obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding any additional pneumothorax or pleural effusion disability due to fault on VA's part.

The Veteran's claim for a dental disability, for treatment purposes only, is being remanded due to incomplete service medical and dental records. The VA has a heightened duty to assist in this case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ear disability, including chronic ear infections, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.