Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TMJD and TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current TMJD and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The VA must obtain relevant records from other Federal departments or agencies, including the SSA.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disability, finding that it is not secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and does not have a direct relationship with his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left leg varicose veins and his service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to his service.

The Board found that the reduction in VA compensation benefits for 12 days during FY 2012 was not proper and granted this portion of the appeal. The reduction in VA compensation benefits for 37 days during FY 2009, 75 days during FY 2010, and 56 days during FY 2011 was proper.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the lower back, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether his current back condition had its initial onset in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the March 2017 VA examination and the need for clarification on whether elevated creatine phosphokinase is a diagnosable chronic multi-symptom illness or related to an underlying disease. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities may also be considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically his Pineoblastoma. The case will be sent for further development including obtaining a dose estimate from VA and an opinion on whether the disease is related to service exposure to radiation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating increase for his dental issues are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination of the Veteran's back brace. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Board has granted service connection for a disability manifested by dizziness, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service noise injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether a current respiratory disorder is related to service. The Veteran's persistent shortness of breath since pneumonia in 1965 is being reviewed with additional medical records and an opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right testicle disorder is related to his in-service left testicle disorder. The VA will seek an independent medical opinion to address these issues.

The Board has remanded this case due to inadequate examination, specifically regarding the failure to timely prescribe a non-weightbearing boot and the Veteran's inability to use prescribed devices.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria prior to September 20, 2010.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran’s surviving spouse for VA death benefits due to a lack of evidence showing that she and the Veteran had a valid common law marriage at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right hand disability, an unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, and entitlement to TDIU due to insufficient evidence in some of the previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected pain disorder is currently rated at 70 percent from November 30, 2015 to January 8, 2020. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the disability during this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg condition and dizziness due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is requested to provide lay statements supporting his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for another VA examination. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including colon polyps and mild diverticulosis, is being reviewed.