Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's BPH with polyuria, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. The current opinions are inadequate as they do not sufficiently address whether the Veteran’s BPH with polyuria is aggravated by his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran received emergency medical treatment for ear pain and dizziness at Citrus Memorial Hospital on February 8, 2015. The treatment was deemed necessary due to the severity of his symptoms and the impracticality of seeking immediate VA care. As a result, payment or reimbursement for these services is granted.

The Veteran's skin disability, including actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, must be remanded for further development to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's blindness was not caused or aggravated by VA care, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board denied service connection for loss of teeth for compensation purposes, finding that the evidence did not show loss of substance of the maxilla or mandible due to in-service trauma. The Veteran's statements concerning his dental trauma were consistent and credible.

The Veteran's left knee disability was evaluated as DJD with limitation of flexion and extension prior to November 6, 2015. The appeal for a rating greater than 30 percent for residuals of total knee replacement from January 1, 2017 is remanded.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for postoperative residuals of bronchiectasis, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6601 or 6600.

The Board has denied service connection for traumatic injuries to the right and left hands, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The case was remanded for further development regarding the left hand disability.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a right eye disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The decision is based on the lack of credible evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for the Veteran’s cause of death, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and subsequent Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia contributed to his death. The Board resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for impairment of sphincter control, prior to November 6, 2019, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to November 12, 2010. The claims are remanded due to the failure to address these issues in the April 20, 2020 rating decision.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a June 2019 decision on the basis of CUE due to the Veteran's death prior to adjudication.

The Veteran's disability rating for temporomandibular joint syndrome, myofascial pain with arthritis was denied as the evidence did not warrant a higher rating than 10 percent prior to September 10, 2017 and 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to consider the merits of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for scoliosis and joint disease of hip, leg, and foot due to further development being required.

The Veteran's bilateral claw foot disability is rated at 30 percent, and his right Achilles status post rupture disability is also rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The appeal has been dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hand disabilities did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The claims for service connection for these conditions were denied.