Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam is presumed and supports a link between his condition and his military service.

The Veteran's right foot numbness and right great toe tendonitis have been granted service connection as due to undiagnosed illnesses from Gulf War service. The Veteran is also awarded a 10% disability rating for his right great toe tendonitis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating prior to April 21, 2014, and an increased rating in excess of 40 percent thereafter for prostatitis due to incomplete information from VA treatment records. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her service-connected granulomatous ulceration of the left lateral surface of the internal nose and for a TDIU due to inappropriately addressing the February 2016 VA examination findings, as well as the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's essential tremors to the head, including whether it is related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the disability rating for supination and pronation, impairment of the left arm from 20 to 10 percent was proper. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for median and ulnar neuropathy of the left arm and hand is not currently in order due to lack of certification. The Board has also decided that restoration of the 20 percent rating for supination and pronation, impairment of the left arm from April 1, 2016 was denied. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to unclear employment status.

The Veteran's overpayment of $972.42 for the period from June 1, 2015 to November 1, 2015 is valid due to his failure to notify VA of his spouse's death in a timely manner.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's esophageal cancer is related to his active service, including any in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The appeal remains pending.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diplopia with left superior oblique palsy was granted, and he is now receiving a 30% evaluation. The decision also denied his request for a TDIU due to the nature of his service-connected condition.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his service-connected coronary artery disease and his terminal complications.

The Veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the left and right lower extremities are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher rating granted due to lack of persistent edema or ulceration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding his immunoglobulin G disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to accrued benefits as reimbursement for payment of expenses associated with the Veteran’s last illness. The appeal is granted, but the exact amount owed by the AOJ in the first instance needs to be calculated and remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's heart condition, which caused his death, to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's Crohn's disease, specifically whether it is related to his service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board granted an effective date of November 21, 2017 for a 40 percent rating for duodenal ulcer with helicobacter pylori. The Veteran's condition was found to have worsened and be related to his service-connected duodenal ulcers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a total body condition, increased ratings for spondylosis of the lumbar spine and bilateral knee conditions, and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete examinations in the July 2019 Board decision.

The Veteran's viral labyrinthitis symptoms, including dizziness and occasional staggering, more nearly approximate the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating from September 22, 2017 to May 5, 2019. The maximum schedular evaluation of 30 percent is granted.