Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral elbow disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his military service and his current condition. The Board also found no secondary service connection based on aggravation of his existing disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bowel obstruction since June 6, 2014 due to incomplete records and need for additional examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left foot injuries, including hallux rigidus. The decision is based on a lack of recent medical records from Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he withdrew his request for review of the decision.

The Veteran's essential tremors are rated as noncompensable prior to April 26, 2016, 10 percent disabling prior to January 2, 2020, and 30 percent thereafter. The Board has granted a maximum rating of 30 percent for the entire appeal period based on severe tremors in both hands. However, entitlement to TDIU is remanded due to lack of information regarding employment status.

The Board has found that the VA did not substantially comply with its prior remand order and has therefore ordered the cases to be remanded again. The claims for service connection for PLMD and an increased rating for right shoulder disability are both being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's CAD and myocardial infarction status post coronary artery bypass grafting have been rated at 60 percent since December 1, 2010. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating during this period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a stroke and a skin disorder, both related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The evidence does not reach equipoise in favor of either claim.,Further development is required on the issue of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory condition is at least as likely as not related to his service, specifically his exposure to asbestos while working in the Navy. As a result, the claim for service connection for a respiratory condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's meibomian gland dysfunction, which is a component of his left eye disability. The matter will be returned for further evaluation and an addendum opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service treatment and noting that any current disabilities are age-related.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any current right eye condition, other than a refractive error, was incurred during service or aggravated by exposure to hazardous materials like trichloroethylene (TCE). The Veteran's medical records need to be updated and an examination should be conducted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to an effective date prior to October 3, 2013 for the increase in rating to 50 percent for residuals status post palatoplasty.,The Veteran's appeal was also denied for revision of an April 26, 2005 rating decision which granted service connection for residuals of status post palatoplasty with a noncompensable disability rating based on CUE.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incorrect statement of the case being sent to the appellant. The appellant needs to be provided with a correct statement of the case regarding her claim for waiver of overpayment of Chapter 35 education benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for esophageal carcinoma with metastasis to the lymph nodes and bone, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his condition and active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of syphilis and entitlement to TDIU due to additional development being required, including an eye examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left foot hallux rigidus with left Achilles tendon rupture is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. Additionally, the RO must consider whether a separate, compensable rating is warranted for his service-connected left Achilles tendon rupture.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further action by the Army regarding the appellant's spouse's military service.

The Board has denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the face and the Veteran's cause of death due to lack of evidence supporting a link between these conditions and his military service or any related disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including his exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos. The decision also notes that further verification is needed regarding whether the Veteran served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam.