Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for his left and right hand arthritis, finding that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records, requiring further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, specifically the meniscal condition, is currently rated at 20 percent and cannot be increased as it has reached the maximum schedular rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a testicular disability, finding that there is no current diagnosed condition and thus no basis to grant service connection.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less due to pain and other factors, has been granted a 40 percent rating effective January 17, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot conditions due to a lack of VA examination and missing service treatment records. The Veteran contends that he suffered cold weather exposure injuries during his time in Canada, leading to current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was found to be manifested by pain, instability, swelling, loss of strength, and occasional use of a brace. For the period prior to December 18, 2019, the criteria for a higher rating were not met. For the period from December 19, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's range of motion was limited with pain during weight-bearing activities.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for non-displaced fracture of the left fifth toe and residuals broken second toe left foot, finding that symptoms were not moderately severe.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome and has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left foot disorder, specifically his in-service injury and treatment. The Veteran is asked to provide any missing records of his leg cast removal.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for left and right lower extremity conditions, including peripheral neuropathy related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for dizziness and lupus, as they are related to existing service-connected conditions. The effective dates for these decisions will be determined after further review.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to their passing away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for cervicitis, endometriosis, and residuals of a hysterectomy as these conditions did not have their onset in service or due to an in-service disease or injury.,Service connection was also denied for hypothyroidism previously.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence of his educational and employment history. The AOJ is instructed to send the Veteran a VA Form 21-8940, request him to complete it, and ask a VA vocational specialist to assess his employability.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency care and ambulance services are granted as the nearest VA facility was not feasibly available, and he is personally liable for the costs.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical opinions to determine if a reasonable person in similar circumstances would have proceeded with the surgery or opted for conservative treatment.

The Veteran's dependent pay for his spouse J.S. was terminated on July 1, 2012 due to her death in June 2012, and the Board denied the appeal as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection issues were decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his discharge was under other than honorable conditions due to a request for administrative separation in lieu of court-martial, which constitutes a regulatory bar to VA benefits. The character of his discharge is therefore a bar to receiving VA compensation.