Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's gout has been rated at a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination regarding convalescence following spine surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia patella have been rated at 10 percent each, effective October 18, 2010. The Board has found that separate ratings of 10 percent for instability are warranted for both knees. However, the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261 have not been met.

The Board has not found a sufficient connection between the Veteran's service and his right parapharyngeal space tumor, but has ordered further examination and opinion to address this issue.

The Board has determined that the matter is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues and remands it back to the RO.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left elbow disorders due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives. The Veteran is scheduled for VA examinations to determine if her current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation due to housebound status has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition of the head is being remanded due to insufficient information on which to decide the claim. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current diagnosis is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's insomnia, finding that it began during active service and continues to this day.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pancreatic cancer is related to his service exposure to herbicides. The examiner relied solely on a general statistical analysis without considering the Veteran's specific circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left eye disability.

The Board found that the overpayment of $6,523.95 was properly created due to the Veteran's failure to notify VA of his mother's death and continued receipt of benefits based on her status as a dependent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's 2014 cataract extraction and lens replacement surgery at an outside hospital, which was performed on a contractual basis with Dallas VAMC, may have resulted in his left eye blindness. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that this surgery caused any additional disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and compensation claims have been dismissed. The issues of left foot hallux valgus, neck disability under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, left foot disability under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, back disability under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, special monthly compensation based on housebound status, and specially adapted housing have been withdrawn.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records. The VA will also seek an opinion on whether the appellant became permanently incapable of self-support by reason of a mental or physical disability prior to attaining age 18.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's left thumb laceration scar is rated as noncompensable under the current rating criteria, and there is insufficient evidence to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a spleen disorder, including immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), finding no evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure or any other service-related cause.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to discrepancies in medical opinions regarding the Veteran's jaw disorder. The case will be reviewed again with a more clarifying opinion from an examiner.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for lower extremity disabilities are remanded due to inadequate examination and need for further medical opinion.