Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of infertility.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted were inadequate and remands the case for further development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left femur disability.

The Board has determined that the matter is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues and requests further development, including providing the Veteran with a copy of the appellant's April 2016 substantive appeal and obtaining court documents related to custody and child support arrangements prior to the children’s 18th birthdays.

The Board dismissed the appeal because A. was already recognized as the Veteran's dependent child and added to her VA disability compensation award, making the issue moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral malignant neoplasms of the respiratory system, including as due to in-service asbestos exposure because new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's appeal is denied because the vehicle he purchased with his first automobile allowance is not destroyed, and thus a second allowance cannot be granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there is no longer a VA debt to recover, and the Veteran's waiver of recovery was granted in full.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for bilateral hip replacements and an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives regarding obtaining records from Social Security Administration (SSA) for M.E.R. and providing an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's death was caused by an error in judgment by VA medical professionals who provided care between February 2010 and September 2011, resulting in the delay of a potentially curable stage diagnosis for metastatic colon cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a balance disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues were previously denied in December 2017, but the Court vacated this decision and ordered additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) to include diffuse interstitial fibrosis is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's chronic laryngitis with right laryngocele was reduced to a 10% rating in July 2019, but the Board has restored the prior 30% rating effective October 1, 2019.

The Veteran's son, B.F., is seeking recognition as the helpless child of the Veteran due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18. The appeal requires additional development including proper VCAA notice and obtaining SSA records and medical records from B.F.'s providers.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant requested to withdraw it due to a subsequent decision resolving the disagreement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's progressive supranuclear palsy with neurological symptomatology is due to his military service, including his exposure to herbicides in the waters off shore of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized ambulance transport on November 2, 2018 is granted. The Board found that all conditions for reimbursement under VA regulations were met.

The Board denied service connection for legal blindness of the left eye, finding that there is no nexus between the condition and service.,The Board also denied service connection for history of macular pucker in the left eye, noting a lack of current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of toenails as there is no current evidence of a disability.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery for the remaining overpayment, finding that collection would cause undue financial hardship and be against equity and good conscience.