Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board found that the appellant's dishonorable discharge from service is a bar to receiving VA compensation benefits due to his character of discharge, which constitutes a statutory bar. The appeal was denied.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral cataracts with epiretinal membrane and posterior capsular opacity of the right intraocular lens, finding no evidence of visual acuity defect, visual field defect, diplopia, disfigurement, or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and incomplete documentation, including missing documents related to the validity of the debt. The appeal will be reconsidered on its merits.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a skin disorder of the feet is reopened. The Board also remanded the issues regarding his hearing loss disability and skin condition of the feet.

The Veteran's right hip arthritis, status post total replacement, was not characterized by moderately severe residuals or weakness, pain, or limitation of motion from July 1, 2007 through July 24, 2008.,The issue of eligibility for a special home adaptation grant is moot due to the award of a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a C3/C4 partial C2 decompressive laminectomy was dismissed because the Veteran died during the appeal process and there is no valid substitute appellant.

The appeal is dismissed as there was no termination of educational assistance benefits, and the Veteran's attorney withdrew the notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the left hip and limitation of extension and flexion of the left thigh have been denied. The Veteran is already receiving a compensable rating for her left hip DJD.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The appellant's claim for DIC benefits is denied because he does not meet the eligibility criteria as a surviving child due to being married.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right eye injury and cataract, including whether it is related to an in-service shrapnel injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DISH as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes with erectile dysfunction, including due to exposure to herbicides, is remanded. The Board finds the April 2016 VA examination inadequate and requires an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran’s type II diabetes or medications prescribed for diabetes have caused or aggravated his DISH.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's groin disability, including a varicocele condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for onychomycosis of the bilateral feet and hemochromatosis.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary nodules, finding that they were first noted in service and have persisted post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for left eye nevi, finding that the condition first manifested during active duty service and is not a congenital disease or defect.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorders due to a lack of medical records and further investigation is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death under 38 U.S.C. § 1310, allowing the appellant to receive DIC benefits. The appeal regarding DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims of an initial rating higher than 30 percent for myasthenia gravis, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) prior to June 29, 2012, and entitlement to an effective date earlier than October 30, 2003 for the grant of service connection for myasthenia gravis. The remand is due to further development being needed for proper adjudication of these claims.