Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claim for digestive system impairment, including Barrett’s esophagus, diverticulitis, colon resection, and gallbladder removal, was granted with an effective date of May 1, 2009. The original stomach condition claim (GERD) was also granted on July 13, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's neurobehavioral effects are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case will be returned for further development and an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for compliance with its March 2018 directives, which included obtaining additional VR&E records and determining whether a timely request for review of the denial of the Veteran's IWRP change was made. The issues will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of cold injuries of the bilateral lower extremities as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to in-service exposure to extreme cold weather.

The Board found that the Veteran failed to provide adequate information regarding his net worth, which prevented VA from determining his eligibility for pension benefits. As a result, the decision is denied.

The Board denied recognition of the Veteran's mother-in-law as his dependent parent for VA purposes and also denied recognition of J. and R. as his dependent children for VA purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye blindness, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to his condition and no nexus between his glaucoma and active duty service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as claims do not survive their deaths.

The Board denied service connection for soft tissue sarcoma metastasized to the right lung, finding no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active duty.,The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be failure to thrive due to metastatic bone cancer and metastatic colon cancer. The Board concluded that his appendiceal cancer, which metastasized to the lungs and bones, is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a stomach disorder, including claimed stomach ulcers, due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between service and his current condition. A VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his implanted cardiac pacemaker complication due to endocarditis status post aortic valve replacement was denied as the evidence did not show more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, or a workload of greater than 3 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for limitation of little finger due to left hand Dupuytren contracture is denied as the condition does not warrant any higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity neurological disabilities as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and Parkinson’s Disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for tonsil cancer due to herbicide exposure, as additional supporting evidence is required in developing the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a genitourinary disability, to include recurrent urinary tract infections, and has granted a rating of 10 percent for diverticulitis with colon polyps and irritable bowel syndrome (diverticulitis) prior to October 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for recurrent fevers and right hand disability due to incomplete development in their respective claims. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance benefits as he did not meet the eligibility requirements based on his service record.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for peripheral nerve disability prior to June 19, 2017 is granted.,An increased rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's peripheral nerve disability beginning June 19, 2017 is also granted.