Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including an examination by a clinician to determine if any current neurological conditions are related to the reported in-service concussion.

The Veteran's compensation under Concurrent Retired and Disability Pay (CRDP) was proper as she did not meet the eligibility criteria for CRDP due to having less than 20 years of creditable service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his left hip disability was denied. For the period prior to March 14, 2020, he was granted a 30 percent rating for limitation of flexion of the left hip and a 20 percent rating for impairment of the left hip. Beginning March 14, 2020, his claim for higher ratings was denied.

The Veteran's neurogenic bladder is determined to be a result of an in-service motor vehicle accident, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bilateral athlete’s foot as there was no evidence of a current disability or that it began during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for non-Hodgkin lymphoma was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted a 50 percent rating for limitation of extension prior to January 1, 2014, and a 20 percent rating for frequent episodes of locking, evidence of a meniscus tear, and recurrent effusion as of January 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue regarding service connection for esthesioneuroblastoma, specifically related to whether it is a MUCMI (medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left arm disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records. The Board finds that new evidence received since the last denial, including the Veteran's statement about an in-service injury, relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left eye blindness, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted since the last final denial in October 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with polysubstance abuse resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from September 21, 2010 to May 7, 2019. The Veteran was able to maintain employment but had difficulty maintaining effective work relationships.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a diagnosis of spina bifida, except for spina bifida occulta. As such, he is not entitled to benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1805.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's hip replacements and limitation of motion. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his hip conditions, which are currently rated as 50 percent, 10 percent, and 20 percent respectively.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as service connection for residuals of decompression sickness was granted in a January 2020 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right thumb injury, finding no current disability related to the in-service thumb injury and that the Veteran did not have a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for TDIU, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and severity of the appellant's service-connected chronic pelvic pain syndrome, as well as whether it is more closely related to adhesions of peritoneum or fallopian tube disease.

The Board granted an award of additional compensation benefits based on the recognition of R.F. and H.F. as the Veteran’s dependent children for VA purposes due to her adoption under Tennessee state law.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with depressed mood is being remanded due to the addition of a new VA Review Mental Disorder Examination Disability Benefits Questionnaire. The effective date issue remains unresolved.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's left and right club feet as there is insufficient evidence regarding whether his preexisting condition was aggravated by service.