Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of macular degeneration, and a supplemental opinion is needed from the VA examiner.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's fatal conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his own willful misconduct resulting from alcohol intoxication at the time of a motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's right vocal cord paralysis with voice hoarseness is granted a disability rating of 30 percent, based on the development of a fibrous subepithelial mass (nodule) that has not resulted in a constant inability to speak above a whisper.

The Veteran's appeal for hearing loss was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding her onset of symptoms during active duty are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional financial information and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran and the appellant submitted new evidence related to their appeal, which needs to be considered before final decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of death and death pension with aid and attendance due to insufficient medical opinions, incomplete documentation of unreimbursed medical expenses, and unclear income eligibility.

The Board has remanded the case for further development on both issues: service connection for a hernia condition and entitlement to treatment purposes for dental conditions. The Veteran's claim for dental treatment is granted due to his current 100% schedular rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot condition due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right pterygium due to the need for updated VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a stress fracture of the right tibia was denied. The effective date for the award of a 10 percent rating for residuals of a stress fracture of the right tibia is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease of the left midfoot is granted, as it resulted from an in-service injury during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) as the Veteran's condition had its onset in service and is presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for hypertensive cardiovascular disease is denied. The reduction of the rating from 60 percent to 30 percent, effective December 1, 2013, was dismissed as moot because the benefit sought on appeal has been granted in full.

The Veteran's right great toe bunionectomy is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available for unilateral hallux valgus. The Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral eye disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic extensor tendonitis of the left forearm and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded because additional development is needed, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940 from the Veteran and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left medial thigh wound and/or infection, finding that there was no additional disability caused by VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or other instance of fault.

The Board found that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits for a spouse's disability compensation was not properly created due to sole administrative error by VA, and thus granted the Veteran's appeal.