Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's macular degeneration is related to his presumed in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his income and expenses, specifically for the period from February 1, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatomyositis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his active duty service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye condition and TDIU. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking the current eye disability to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's lupus and breast cancer are being remanded for further development to determine if they were caused by her military service, including any exposure to herbicide agents or toxins at Fort McClellan.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to apply the clear and unmistakable evidence standard. The Veteran's eye disabilities need further evaluation by a VA examiner.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for upper respiratory infection and remanded the claims for service connection for pulmonary disorder and cardiovascular disorder due to lack of VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right and left lower extremity circulatory disabilities, as well as a skin disability. The cases are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for visual acuity impairment of both eyes, finding that there is no evidence of an eye disorder during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for back injuries has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board dismissed the appeal for recognition as the substitute claimant due to the death of the Veteran because substitution was granted in January 2018.

The Veteran's right leg paralysis is determined to be due to VA negligence, and he is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma disorder (formerly PTSD), is granted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for malaria is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal and skin disorders, as they may be related to his service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia. The VA will schedule appropriate examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's death was due to sepsis, pneumonia, and enterocutaneous fistula. The appellant filed a claim for an earlier effective date for DIC but the Board found no legal basis to establish such an earlier effective date as the RO’s assignment of May 1, 1995, as the effective date for the award of DIC benefits was appropriate.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, as none of the conditions listed on his death certificate are shown to be related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left thumb, index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger disabilities have been denied as the current ratings of 20 percent for each condition are considered to be the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

Your appeal for an increased evaluation for service-connected bladder outlet obstruction has been dismissed as you have withdrawn your appeal.