Other conditions decisions — 2020

The appellant requested to withdraw her appeal regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection and subsequent rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 14, 2017, for the grant of service connection for liver cancer is denied. The claim for a compensable rating for service-connected liver cancer is also denied. Service connection for incisional hernia as secondary to service-connected liver cancer is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's loss of sense of smell and taste is not service-connected, as the VA dental implantation treatment did not cause these conditions.,The numbness in the lower lip and jaw is also not service-connected, as the VA dental procedures are not considered to be a proximate cause.

The Board denied compensation for pneumonia, dysphagia, Clostridium difficile (C. diff), voice changes, unstable bowels, and digestive issues with abdominal pain due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.,However, the Veteran was granted compensation for PTSD with anxiety and depression as a result of VA care.

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

The Board has decided to remand four separate claims for service connection due to missing records and the need for a new medical opinion. The Veteran's symptoms of nerve damage, hypersensitivity, increased sensitivity to cold, long-term numbness in the extremities, joint stiffness, discoloration, limited mobility, and irregularities in the nail and nail beds are being reviewed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial compensable ratings for bilateral foot pes planus, a disability rating in excess of 30 percent effective December 9, 2019, and initial compensable ratings for left and right foot hallux valgus. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits are being remanded due to the inextricability of these issues with previously remanded service connection claims.

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for nasal disability have been granted, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not provided to reopen the claim for vocal polyps/nodules on vocal chords, but denied all other service connection claims due to lack of a current disability diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his right foot condition, including calcaneal spurs and degenerative joint disease.

The Board has granted a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemiparesis of the right lower extremity. The issue of service connection for bilateral above the knee amputations and deep vein thrombosis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial disability rating and earlier effective date for a left hand disability, including numbness, weakness, decreased sensitivity, degenerative changes, and decreased range of movement, is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper notice and scheduling of a VA examination for the right radius fracture residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for disc extrusion at L5-S1 and left foraminal spinal stenosis at T11-T12 secondary to bulging disc material and degenerative changes, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during or are otherwise etiologically related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's disability rating for Discoid Lupus Erythematosus was reduced from 60 percent to 0 percent effective January 1, 2015. The Board has restored the 60 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for urinary incontinence and granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability, but denied increased ratings for left hip and lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral epicondylitis secondary to Meniere’s disease and arthritis, but the issues of upper extremity epicondylitis are remanded.