Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's myeloproliferative neoplasm is remanded for further development regarding his exposure to Agent Orange and any other toxic materials in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and research regarding the Veteran's claims of residuals from chemotherapy involving Docetaxel. The examiner is asked to determine if any additional disabilities are related to the treatment, whether caused by VA carelessness or negligence, and to provide a discussion of relevant research.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for cause of death because there was no new and material evidence submitted that could establish a connection between the Veteran's military service and his causes of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's essential thrombocytosis is at least as likely as not related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation during military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The appellant withdrew his appeal before the decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition of the feet is being remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last final rating decision. The Board finds that there may be a relationship between his current condition and service, specifically wearing boots in hot weather at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran served in Korea from March 1971 to March 1972, and his unit of assignment was A Company, 2nd S&T Bn. The AOJ is instructed to develop this information further to determine if the Veteran's duties placed him on or around the base perimeter at Camp Casey.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological condition and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran has a current diagnosis for a neurological disorder, and his combined evaluation does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a skin disorder due to incomplete VA medical records and the need to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The appeal for a waiver of overpayment resulting from educational benefits was denied because the request was not filed within 180 days of notification.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for service-connected heat stroke was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have any residuals related to the service-connected heat stroke.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral heel spurs. The Veteran's left knee disability is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral Morton’s neuroma was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned under Diagnostic Code 5279.

The Veteran is granted a separate initial 10 percent rating for his left 4th finger disability based on interference with overall function of the hand, effective from when the claim was filed.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability and/or otherwise attributable to his military service, including Agent Orange exposure. The Board found that the cause of death (cardiopulmonary arrest due to congestive heart failure) is not related to VA medical care or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to incomplete records and a need to clarify how the overpayment of VRAP benefits was calculated.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for 30 percent ratings for bilateral hip replacements is denied as the increase in disability did not occur within a year of the procedure and no new evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected Other Specified Trauma-and Stress Related Disorder is found to be related to his wartime service, and the claim for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and notification issues, including an incorrect address used for notifications. The Veteran's service connection claim for colon polyps is being remanded for further development.