Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an apportionment of the Veteran’s VA disability compensation benefits, finding that it would result in undue hardship on the Veteran.

The Veteran's skin condition, including as due to service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War, is remanded for further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right leg shin splints before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which includes a fracture of the right talus and shin splint, has been rated at 10 percent since July 1978. The Board found that his current condition warrants an increased rating to 20 percent due to marked limitation of motion in the ankle.

The VA denied compensation for atrial fibrillation as the condition was not caused by carelessness, negligence, or similar fault on part of VA. The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is attributed to his nonservice-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding non-VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychological examination to determine if the appellant was insane at the time of misconduct leading to his discharge under other than honorable conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the respiratory disability and service-connected tinnitus, as well as the potential aggravation of any pre-existing condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with the competency of the VA examiner who provided an opinion regarding the Veteran's stuttering condition. The Veteran is required to undergo a new examination by a licensed speech pathologist.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right lower extremity neurologic disability, finding that there was no causal connection to his active service or presumed herbicide agent exposure. The evidence did not show early-onset peripheral neuropathy associated with herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new examination of the Veteran's thumb disorder, as there are inconsistencies in the current medical opinions and the Veteran reports functional impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hallux valgus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and left retro patellar pain syndrome due to a need for additional examination and etiological opinion.

The Board denied accrued benefits for expenses incurred on behalf of the Veteran, finding that the appellant and siblings could not be reimbursed as they were already considered to have paid the expenses.

The Board has granted service connection for Barrett’s esophagus, finding that the evidence supports a nexus between the Veteran's asbestos exposure during service and his current condition.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for his right hip scar and denied increased ratings for his total right hip replacement for cystic disease of the right femur. The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issue of a compensable rating for his right hip scar, and the RO granted an increased rating to 50 percent effective March 19, 2019.

The Veteran's impairment of sphincter control is rated at 60 percent, but no more. The condition involves leakage and frequent involuntary bowel movements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a spine condition, finding that it is less likely than not due to or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot ingrown toenails with bone spurs due to an April 2010 VA examination not providing a nexus opinion. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection and secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim.