Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for an examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's son J.D.S. is claimed to be permanently incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 18, and thus should be recognized as a dependent child for VA purposes. The Board has ordered remand due to outstanding medical records from non-VA providers and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicose veins of the right and left lower extremities, as well as the effective date for a 20 percent rating from July 12, 2018. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of pharyngitis and viral syndrome, as well as for polycystic ovarian syndrome. However, these claims are still pending because further evidence is needed to determine if the conditions existed during or were aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease and lateral laxity, finding that there is marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected Dupuytren disease of the right hand with deformed fourth digit needs to be re-evaluated due to lack of recent VA treatment records and an updated examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for right Achilles tendon rupture, finding the Veteran's disability manifested by no more than moderately severe symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for VA non-service-connected disability pension benefits due to his undesirable discharge from active military service, which is a bar to VA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis and a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during active service or otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis is being remanded due to the need for updated medical evidence and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for cholangiocarcinoma, finding it was caused by the Veteran's in-service exposure to liver fluke parasites during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand two cases regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders due to a lack of proper range of motion testing in previous examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a CRDP payment in excess of $4,944.00 for July 1, 2004 to December 1, 2005 as there is no provision of law under which the Board may grant the relief sought by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits due to concurrent receipt with DFAS payments is remanded. The amount and timing of the overpayment need further clarification.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiorespiratory arrest due to sepsis syndrome, is not related to his active service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran’s death was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's request for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Grand Rapids Ophthalmology on September 29 and September 30, 2014 is denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency medical treatment.

The Board has determined that the appellant is the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits purposes, considering her continuous cohabitation with the Veteran until his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Appellant's income and medical expenses from December 2016 forward, which is necessary for determining eligibility for death pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for a new opinion regarding service connection for abnormal skin growth on the nose and lower lip, including as secondary to service-connected vitiligo.

The Veteran died while under the care of a VA-contracted hospice organization at VA's expense, meeting the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits.