Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow/forearm disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions and for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's initial and increased disability ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disorder have been denied. The rating of 30% was granted from March 9, 2017 to January 13, 2020, but the appeal for a higher rating is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during non-VA medical services at Dekalb Medical Center on December 21, 2005 is being remanded due to missing records and the need for additional notification.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disability and its relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, a separate disability evaluation for right knee instability, and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his left foot avulsion fracture with residual non-union metatarsal bones. The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's inguinal hernia is related to his service-connected prostatectomy. The case needs further evaluation and a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disorder, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his in-service symptoms and any present condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot condition. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability and an initial compensable rating for his right fifth metacarpal transverse fracture with deformity. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Veteran did not meet the minimum active duty service requirements to establish basic eligibility for a government-furnished headstone or marker, and none of the exclusions under VA regulations apply. The claim is denied as there is no legal basis to award a Government-issued headstone or marker.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for benefits under 38 CFR §§ 3.814 and 3.815 for a child born with spina bifida or covered birth defects, as there was no evidence of spina bifida diagnosis and the appellant did not meet the requirements for benefits based on parental exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen her previously denied claims for service connection for bunion with hallux valgus of the right and left first metatarsals, finding that the evidence submitted since the most recent final decision does not give rise to a reasonable likelihood of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, which was granted in June 2011. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to adjudicate whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the June 1997 rating decision denying service connection.

The Board denied service connection for dental caries and dental trauma, finding that the Veteran did not have a compensable disability due to in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for an upper mandible cyst and tooth loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his active service.

The appeal for an apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits is dismissed due to untimeliness of the appellant's VA Form 9.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for myeloproliferative neoplasm and acute promyelocytic leukemia, as well as his cause of death due to ischemic heart disease. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's Raynaud’s syndrome was rated at 20 percent from June 5, 2014 to January 30, 2019 and increased to 40 percent effective January 30, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating is denied on or after January 13, 2020.

The Board has reopened the claim for a right ear drum disability due to new and material evidence, but has remanded it for further development as there is insufficient information about the nature of the Veteran's service connection request.