Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was denied from September 1, 2009 to August 30, 2016 because he did not have a permanent and total service-connected disability during that period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his service-connected thoracic spine disability, finding that the correct effective dates are March 14, 2008, and that a 20% rating is appropriate.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa, finding that his condition affected less than 20% of his body or exposed areas and did not require systemic therapy.

The Board has found that additional development is needed regarding the Veteran’s cause of death, specifically whether myocardial infarction can be considered a disease listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) and if it was caused by active duty service including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service connection claim for basal cell carcinoma of the left temple is being remanded due to a lack of compliance with the September 2019 Board remand directives, specifically the need for a dose estimate based on ionizing radiation exposure in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to October 21, 2005 for the grant of service connection for left hand nerve damage due to a failure to submit evidence showing entitlement to this benefit.

The Board denied service connection for cold injuries to the lower left and right extremities, finding no evidence of a current disability related to in-service exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of endometriosis, finding that her symptoms were present during active duty and are related to her in-service diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and treatment records, as well as challenges to the competency of the VA examiner. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral arthritis of the tarsometatarsal joint.

The Board has decided that the VA did not adequately address all aspects of the Veteran's gynecomastia disability, including urinary symptoms and skin-related issues. The case is being remanded for further examination to ensure compliance with previous directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current jaw disability, including TMJ disability, was caused by his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a skin condition, to include basal cell carcinoma, is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating for his thoracic spine strain with mild degenerative joint disease, and he was found to be able to maintain gainful employment despite his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected residual fracture, left navicular bone is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it.

The Veteran's back condition, rated at 40 percent since April 20, 2018, is not entitled to a higher rating as the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service or any presumptive conditions. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to support a secondary service connection claim based on his service-connected gastrointestinal disorders and medications.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 11, 2000, for the award of service connection for right rectus abdominis muscle atrophy (also claimed as an abdominal muscle injury) was denied. The earliest possible effective date is September 11, 2000.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for impaired cognition and brain damage from anoxic injury is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.