Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected recurrent ulcer and cellulitis of the right lower extremity, specifically addressing pyoderma and right leg pain.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for small cell carcinoma of the lung, right lower lobe is dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dental disabilities (teeth number 7, 10, 11, and 22) as there was no in-service trauma or current disability. The right shoulder disability claim is separate.

The Board has granted a higher 20 percent rating for instability of the right and left knees due to patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease, but denied increased ratings for limitation of flexion and extension of both knees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for macular degeneration, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his in-service exposure to radiation and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hand disability has been remanded due to an inaccurate factual premise in the November 2018 VA examiner's opinion. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue above.

The Veteran's brain tumor is related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his metastatic malignancy, which contributed to his death, was related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disability and has remanded his TDIU claim due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and will need to reassess the service connection for numbness of the lower extremities secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for degenerative changes of the left hip with limitation of flexion and chronic right hip muscle and tendon strain with limited extension have been denied.,Initial noncompensable ratings were previously assigned, but the Veteran is now seeking higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. Cain.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for aortic valve insufficiency, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service complaints of chest pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and lack of a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran could have been safely transferred to a VA facility for treatment during his non-VA care at University Hospital of Missouri.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to inadequate examination in the January 2019 decision, which did not address whether exposure to herbicide agents or service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death.

An initial 20 percent rating for right and left Achilles tendonitis has been granted.,An initial higher rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's claim for service connection for vitamin D deficiency, including determining if his symptoms are related to his active military service or obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral ingrown toenails and epididymitis for further development to obtain medical records.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate compliance with previous remands, and the Veteran's thrombophlebitis of lower extremities is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's neurological impairment of the abdomen and left inguinal area was caused by his August 1994 hernia repair surgery, which he did not consent to fully due to a lack of informed discussion about potential nerve damage. The Board has granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this additional disability.