Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for eye disability, claimed as vision loss, is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current eye disability for VA purposes and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left homonymous hemianopsia and completing any outstanding requests for private treatment records. The TDIU rating claim will also be adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and further development is needed, including obtaining SSA records related to the appellant's receipt of disability benefits under Title II of Social Security Act.

The Veteran's service-connected hairy cell leukemia is in remission, and there is no evidence of active disease. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted as the condition does not meet the criteria for anemia or aplastic anemia requiring continuous medication.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation due to incomplete development of his Reserve and National Guard service records. The AOJ must make reasonable efforts to obtain these records, specifically focusing on whether the Veteran was in a period of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA) during October 2010 when he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability and its connection to his service, including exposure to burn pits. The Veteran will be given an opportunity to provide additional statements about functional impairment caused by his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient response from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing stomach disability worsened during service.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and TDIU are being remanded due to concerns about the competency of the medical examiner who performed his cervical spine surgery in November 2004.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of medical services received at Lakeside Medical Center has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as a result.

The Board has determined that the procedural steps for a simultaneously contested claim have not been completed, and thus remands the case to ensure compliance with special procedural regulations.

The Veteran's left and right knee chondromalacia patella with patellar tendonitis were rated at 10% prior to March 24, 2020, and at 20% thereafter. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's household income and medical expenses, which are necessary for a determination on her nonservice-connected pension benefits claim.

The Board has remanded the case for addendum opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's varicose veins and whether they are aggravated by his service-connected CAD.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for varicose veins in both the right and left lower extremities as these issues have been fully resolved by a June 2020 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an addendum opinion regarding Z. G.'s permanent incapacity for self-support.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right middle finger disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and testing, including imaging studies. The examiner must also evaluate any associated peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right lower extremity neurological disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The case needs further examination and opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg disability is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability contributed to his death.