Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for multiple myeloma was denied as his condition is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the highest rating available under current criteria.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right foot monoarticular inflammation, but not higher. The disability is currently rated as moderately severe in degree.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for VA home loan guaranty benefits as he did not meet the statutory requirements under 38 U.S.C. §§ 3701 and 3702 for basic entitlement to loan guaranty benefits.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's heart arrhythmia, or PSVT, is related to his service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to recognize S.E. as the adopted child of the Veteran for VA purposes, finding that the circumstances meet the requirements under VA regulations.

The Veteran's bilateral myasthenia gravis and right eye ptosis are granted as service connected due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected Functional Bowel Syndrome and fecal incontinence have been granted increased ratings, with the FBS receiving a 30 percent rating and the fecal incontinence also receiving a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the severance of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the Veteran's employment was not marginal and he could engage in substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for superior semicircular canal dehiscence, as it is not shown to have developed in service or be caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the appellant's income and medical expenses, specifically whether her Social Security benefits are SSI or another type of countable SSA benefits. The VA needs to clarify this information before making a determination on the pension claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurobehavioral condition is remanded due to the lack of a competent nexus opinion. The case will be further examined and an appropriate decision made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, to include as due to herbicide exposure, and in the alternative, to myelodysplastic syndrome. The examiner's opinions are inadequate and further development is required.

The Veteran's nasopharyngeal cancer was not incurred in or caused by his military service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service. The Board denied the claim for service connection due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer, finding that it is related to his presumed exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a sinus disability due to inadequate medical opinion and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder (claimed as chronic conjunctivitis) due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for an ear disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate development in a previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diplopia is related to his service-connected cataracts, including any surgeries performed for cataracts.

The Veteran's service met the requirements for eligibility to Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) education benefits. The Board found that the erroneous advice given by VA and Army personnel caused the Veteran to elect Chapter 30 benefits instead of Chapter 33, which he would have elected but for this error. As a result, the decision grants payment of education benefits under Chapter 33.

The Veteran's Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is granted as presumptively related to his Agent Orange exposure. The issue of service connection for Hairy cell leukemia (chronic B-Cell leukemia) is remanded.