Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses at Sanford Health Orthopedic Sports Medicine is remanded due to missing records and authorization forms. The VA will obtain the necessary treatment records from September 2017, including those from Sanford Hospital.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The lichen planus claim was denied as the current rating of 60% is the maximum allowed under the applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that the issues of severance of service connection for incomplete tetraplegia and neurogenic bladder/bowel are remanded due to procedural errors. The Veteran's representative argued that these issues should be included in the appeal, but the Board finds they were not properly appealed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence and need for an additional VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection, finding that his preexisting left foot condition did not worsen during active duty and was not aggravated by any in-service event.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for right pes anserine bursitis and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reasonable possibility of changing the outcome.

The Board denied service connection for esophageal cancer, finding no evidence linking the condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and was not aggravated by such service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's spina bifida condition, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not that she had spina bifida but not spina bifida occulta at birth.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's aortic insufficiency, bacterial endocarditis, bovine aortic valve replacement, and possible transient congestive heart failure are not considered to be due to VA treatment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including Crohn’s disease and/or inflammatory bowel disease. The decision finds that there is at least an equipoise of evidence to support the Veteran's claim, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for retroactive disability compensation due to receipt of retirement pay (TDRL) is dismissed without prejudice as the allegations are not specific enough.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's current symptoms and reliance on a 2018 VA examination that did not adequately address his complaints.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left inguinal hernia, other than post-surgical scarring. The Veteran underwent surgery in December 1988 and has not experienced any residual conditions since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lower extremity circulatory problems, including as secondary to his service-connected high blood pressure. The VA examiner found that the varicose veins are not caused by or a result of his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral heel disabilities were denied for initial ratings in excess of the currently assigned 10% and 20% ratings prior to October 30, 2019 and since that date respectively.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for the Veteran's amputation of the right index finger with ankylosis of the long, ring, and little fingers. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board denied benefits for spina bifida because the Veteran's father did not serve in Vietnam, and there was no evidence of qualifying service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to VA disability compensation reductions and overpayments due to concurrent receipt of active pay, retirement pay, and separation incentive pay. The main issues are the validity of debt from removal of a dependent spouse, concurrent receipt of active pay and/or retirement pay, and overpayment recovery for FY 2008 and FY 2009 drill pay reductions. An audit is required to determine the correct amounts and reasons for these actions.