Other conditions decisions — 2020

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

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the initial compensable rating for right lower extremity inguinal nerve entrapment associated with inguinal hernia status post-repair with mesh. The Veteran's disability is rated as moderate, but his symptoms are severe and interfere with employment.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from military service was under Other Than Honorable (OTH) conditions, which constitutes a bar for VA benefits. The appeal is denied as there are no exceptions to this statutory bar.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation with aortic valve stenosis should be remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding aggravation and causation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his cervical spine disability, right knee instability, and right thumb disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition is related to service. The Veteran was required to wear shower shoes for 7 days after reporting a sore on his right foot during basic training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of ischemic stroke has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current loss of smell is due to a nose fracture during service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a nose fracture injury with loss of smell.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for respiratory, skin, and urinary conditions due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The examination findings were inadequate as they did not consider all relevant evidence of record, including medical records showing asthma, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and hives over the body during winter. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for glenohumeral arthritis of the left shoulder, TDIU prior to February 6, 2018, and SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service-connected rectal fistula has worsened, requiring him to wear two pairs of underwear and a pad for drainage. The Board finds the March 2020 VA examination inadequate as it did not discuss the Veteran’s flare-ups, and the case is remanded for another examination.

The Board denied service connection for head pain on the right side, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during service and no medical opinion linking it to either service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bowel dysfunction is a complication of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete communication with the appellant's representative and a need for them to be provided with the most recent supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that P.H. did not have verifiable military service for VA purposes, thus denying the claim for DIC and/or death pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations or service connection.

The Veteran's paresthesias of the left leg are rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits should be remanded due to incomplete information regarding his income.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his preexisting cerebral palsy, which he contends worsened during his 35 days of active duty. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and needs an addendum opinion from a medical professional.