Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperhidrosis disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and no causal relationship to active service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's bone cancer, which is claimed as related to exposure to ionizing radiation and toxic/hazardous waste during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inaccurate premise in a previous VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran needs additional VA examination and medical opinions regarding his skin disability, including seborrheic keratosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and lack of medical opinions addressing the Veteran's back disability and its relationship to his in-service treatment. The claims will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 25, 2016 for a 50 percent rating for unspecified delusional disorder is denied because the increase in disability did not occur within one year of the receipt of his claim.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 25, 2016 for a 10 percent rating for varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities is denied as there was no formal or informal claim received before this date.

The Board has determined that the matter is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues and remands it back for compliance with contested claims procedures.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a liver condition, finding that there is no evidence showing a chronic liver disability was incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for persistent somatic symptom disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected fracture right fourth finger status post open reduction internal fixation with retained hardware and benign essential tremor of both hands.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left heel spur is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for trochanteric bursitis and labral tear of the left hip, as well as a low back disability secondary to his left hip condition, are granted. The low back issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted in a January 2020 rating decision. The Board dismissed the appeal as there has been a full award of the benefit sought.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that there was no evidence of asbestos exposure during service and that his current condition is more likely due to smoking. The Board also noted that his duties as a seaman were not consistent with significant asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular disorder and lead poisoning, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or due to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and an insufficient VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right eye disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left eye disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision regarding whether VA treatment caused additional disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure and the relationship between his metastatic carcinoma of the lungs and service. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records, including from Dr. Patel, Pinellas Medical Clinic, and Moffitt Cancer Center, as well as the Veteran’s military personnel record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spinal disability, including neck and back pain, is at least as likely as not related to his service in the Navy. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA examination reports and outstanding medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudophakia and bilateral cataracts, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, is now pending.

The Veteran's left thigh disability prior to December 17, 2019 was rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.