Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for acute myelocytic leukemia due to exposure to Agent Orange during service and also grants the cause of death claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for lymphoma of the left testicle, secondary to bilateral testicular hydroceles, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and limitation of extension, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected pulmonary nodule, finding that her FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC levels remained above 70 percent predicted, thus not warranting a higher 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for panic disorder and a TDIU determination due to potential worsening of his disability. The Veteran is also requested to provide any outstanding treatment records and complete a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board denied the appeal, finding that the Appellant's character of discharge was a bar to receiving VA compensation benefits due to willful and persistent misconduct during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing documents and clarifying whether prior authorization was obtained for the Veteran's stay at Orthopedic Clinic on June 3, 2013. The AOJ is also instructed to adjudicate both issues of payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple myeloma is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim of service connection for lytic lesions (claimed as cystic lesions) is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and payment of increased DIC at the aid and attendance or housebound rate due to lack of evidence supporting a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for left and right lower extremity varicose veins due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation, and his TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's stroke is not service-connected due to presumed herbicide exposure, but the Board has ordered a new examination to determine if it is related to his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hiatal hernia and gastrointestinal pathology, specifically whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a left orbital lobe fracture with diplopia and TDIU are remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the severity of his diplopia symptoms from the February 2009 VA eye examination.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for dependency benefits due to the Veteran's current spouse, P.A.S., as there was no prior communication of his marriage and divorce within one year.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for interstitial lung fibrosis/pulmonary fibrosis is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination as his condition has reportedly worsened since the last evaluation in June 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete employment information and a need to contact Stericycle Inc. for employment details.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for SMC based on the need of aid and attendance since July 22, 2016. The decision is based on the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his heart conditions, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct or presumptive link between his current disabilities and his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's polycythemia vera is related to his service, specifically exposure to benzine and/or other toxins.