Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the procedural steps for a simultaneously contested claim have not been completed. The Veteran's current mailing address needs to be verified, and both parties are advised to provide updated income and expense information. The matter is remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Veteran's syncopal episodes are granted as service connected, and the right inguinal hernia rating is remanded for further clarification of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required before service connection for a skin rash can be decided.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right tibiofibular ligament strain is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation for aid and attendance as of June 3, 1992 due to her service-connected restrictive lung disease. The need for regular aid and attendance is attributed primarily to her restrictive lung disease, with some support from her Crohn's disease.

The Board has determined that the procedural steps for a simultaneously contested claim have not been completed, and thus the matter is remanded to ensure compliance with the required procedures.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for mood disorder was denied as there is no diagnosed psychiatric disability during the periods between her active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel benefits related to an ambulance ride from St. Joseph to Catholic Medical Center on May 4, 2015 is remanded due to missing documents and incomplete information.

The Veteran's blindness of the right eye is granted as service-connected. The issues of periorbital cellulitis and abscess, and methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are dismissed due to being subsumed by the grant of service connection for residuals of right eye injury.

The Veteran's appeal to terminate the apportionment of their VA compensation benefits was dismissed because the appeal was untimely.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for pelvic pain with an ovarian cyst is granted. The Board also found that the evidence submitted by the Veteran raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim as it establishes in-service injuries to the pelvis, which could relate to her current conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional information regarding the validity of the Veteran's marriage and whether the Appellant is a surviving spouse.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (leukemia) because the earliest possible communication that could be construed as a claim was received by VA on August 31, 2015. The December 2006 rating decision is final and the award of service connection for leukemia is based upon the August 31, 2015 request to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bowel and bladder impairment associated with his lumbar spine disability, as well as his TDIU claim prior to November 16, 2012. The claims are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's service did not meet the minimum period of active duty requirement for nonservice-connected pension benefits, as he served less than 24 months. Therefore, his claim is denied.

The Board denied service connection for osteoporosis/osteopenia and bilateral foot disorder (pes cavus) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has found no evidence of a current heart palpitations condition and the medical opinions provided do not support service connection for this claimed disability. As such, the claim is denied.