Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of an ear infection are related to his active duty service, and thus grants the claim.

The Board found that the overpayment of $5,664.00 was validly created due to the Veteran's failure to promptly notify VA of his divorce from L.Y.M., and thus contributed to the erroneous payment.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of basal cell cancer and lipomas are not listed disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) as diseases associated with exposure to herbicide agents, but the Board is requesting a medical opinion on whether these conditions may be related to his service due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold weather injuries, including extremity and cardiovascular disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joints are denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle spasms in the left lower leg and arthritis cramps in the left lower leg are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for hair loss, skin disability, and menstrual disorder are being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding their relationship to service.,Specifically, the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right base of tongue, finding that it is not due to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including vitiligo with hives, is denied as not related to military service. The initial disability ratings for PTSD are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining more detailed information about the Veteran's work history and completing a VA Form 21-8940 (TDIU claim form).

The Veteran withdrew his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has remanded this case due to non-compliance with previous directives and needs to obtain the appellant's complete SSA record, including all determinations and copies of medical records considered in deciding any SSA disability claim.

The Veteran's Crohn’s disease was not incurred or aggravated by his military service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found the preponderance of evidence against the claim.

The Veteran's actinic keratosis is rated at 10 percent, the lowest available rating under current VA regulations. The condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has not affected more than 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas.

The Veteran's pension benefits prior to September 1, 2017 were denied due to his income exceeding the maximum annual pension limit.

The Board previously denied the claim for AML due to Agent Orange exposure, but the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) has ordered a remand because the September 2014 VA examination did not discuss whether the leukemia was presumptively linked to Agent Orange. The Veteran's death while his appeal was pending at the Court necessitated substitution.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's testicular condition is related to service, including his reports of in-service assault and ongoing testicular pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation for denying service connection for parasomnia with isolated sleep paralysis. An additional opinion is needed from a VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including numbness due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals in service caused his glioblastoma, which led to his death. The VA is required to obtain a medical opinion on this matter.

The appellant's claim for accrued benefits was timely filed, and the Board has granted this appeal.