Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding service connection for a lung disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's death during the appeal process means that a new medical specialist opinion is required.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claim for additional accrued benefits due to incomplete evidence and inextricably intertwined issues. The RO must resolve the issue of additional pension benefits before deciding on the appellant's accrued benefits claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with respect to both a compensable disability rating for squamous cell carcinoma and TDIU. The TDIU claim is pending as it may be affected by the increased disability rating claim.

The Veteran's initial rating for right hip residuals was denied, but a 20% rating was granted subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. The case is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hodgkin's disease has been reopened, and the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for service connection for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is also remanded as it hinges on determining the correct diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The CLL claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of CLL in relation to exposure to ionizing radiation or asbestos during service.

The Board denied service connection for a left elbow disorder due to the lack of evidence linking any current condition to service, including active duty, ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left varicocele is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a chest contusion and left inguinal hernia, finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and his May 1963 in-service fall.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to conflicting information about his work status and the need for a VA addendum opinion on the impact of service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for survivor's pension benefits as her income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR).

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted with an effective date of May 21, 2018. The Board found that the evidence supports this determination as it was shown to have arisen within one year prior to the date of claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the appellant was insane at the time of misconduct leading to his discharge. The VA will conduct further development and schedule a psychological examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory and sleep disorders due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service or other factors.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence, as no evidence was submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disorder, finding that her current disability is related to active service and resolving any doubt in her favor.

The appeal is dismissed as DIC benefits have been awarded under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, which constitutes a complete grant of the benefit sought.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic female disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such condition and thus not meeting the threshold requirement for substantiating a claim.

The Board has granted benefits for nonservice-connected right upper extremity impairment based on special consideration given to paired extremities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.383 (a). The claim of entitlement to a higher evaluation of SMC is denied, and the claim of entitlement to a disability rating greater than 100 percent for bilateral lower extremity loss of use is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for uterine fibroids and residuals of hysterectomy, as well as SMC based on anatomical loss of a creative organ. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to be related to her military service.