Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a special home adaptation grant, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the compensation for his son's school attendance after he turned 18.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for psoriatic arthritis involving multiple body parts, indicating satisfaction with his current compensation.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the March 2017 decision that granted TDIU benefits due to the Veteran's incarceration, which was a felony conviction. As a result, the restoration of TDIU benefits is denied.

The Veteran's night sweats, mood swings, leg cramps, and hypertension are being remanded for further examination as they may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran died while his claim was pending, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for chronic strain of the lower thoracic spine in excess of 20 percent is remanded due to missing records and need for additional examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for blood clots in the lungs and recurrent pneumonia, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of fracture of the head of the right femur with DJD. The evidence does not support current diagnoses or disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of essential tremors, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition preexisted his military service and was not aggravated by it.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection on an accrued benefits basis for multiple myeloma, claimed as due to radiation and/or chemical exposure. The claim will be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits for further consideration based on the Veteran's alleged exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal on his claim for service connection for a skin disability, including boils and infection, has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal through his attorney.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's exposure to chemical agents and environmental hazards in Southwest Asia is a key factor.

The Veteran's TMD disability is rated at 40 percent since July 26, 2019. The rating for cervical neuropathy associated with TMD remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the failure of the RO to notify him of post-remand consideration and issuance of an SSOC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for residuals of Parkinson’s disease due to insufficient evaluation by the November 2018 VA examination and July 2019 VA examination. Additional VA examinations are needed to assess the functional impact of each of his residuals, including stooped posture, balance impairment, tremor of upper extremities, muscle rigidity and stiffness of upper and lower extremities, loss of automated facial movements, speech impairment, constipation, and a sleep impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of recent VA medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a sleep disorder, severe cardiomyopathy, and a disability manifested by weakness and dizziness were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD based on his reported stressor of being near the Korean DMZ during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether VA personnel failed to diagnose and treat the Veteran's gastric stomach cancer, or if they should have done so earlier. The expert must provide a clear opinion on these points.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pituitary macroadenoma and diverticulitis, both linked to exposure at Camp Lejeune, were denied as the evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and his period of service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals of both upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current symptoms and his active duty service.