Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's neck disability was rated at 30 percent from November 25, 2008 to May 17, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis and functional loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip and thigh disabilities are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions due to reported worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorders and their relationship to presumed in-service herbicide exposure. The VA must obtain additional evidence and provide an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to separate evaluations for compensation for muscle injuries under diagnostic codes 5305 and 5306.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the right hand, right arm, and left arm as there is no competent evidence showing current disability.

The Veteran's right hand third metacarpal fracture and ligament repair surgery resulted in a 10 percent rating, with no higher. The appeal is denied for ratings above this level.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support exposure to herbicide agents during service and thus no service-connected disability contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a perineal injury is remanded due to the failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided, and a new opinion is needed from an independent medical expert specializing in oncology.

The Veteran's recurrent gastritis is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from September 18, 2015 to June 30, 2017. The Board finds that remand is necessary to consider whether a higher rating is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the case is not about service connection.

The Veteran's pension benefits were terminated as of February 1, 2008 due to excessive income. He is not entitled to a higher rate of pay based on his pension benefits for the period from February 1, 2008 to January 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg and/or hip disorder, finding that another VA medical opinion is needed to address whether these disorders are related to his service-connected disabilities or if they are distinct from them.

The Veteran's claims for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 and additional VA educational assistance benefits in excess of 6 days were denied as he did not exhaust his entitlement under Chapter 30 before electing to receive Chapter 33 benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his active service or herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information provided in the prior Statement of the Case and SSOC, specifically regarding the creation of the overpayment. The AOJ must provide a copy of the July 2012 Statement of the Case which addressed the $21,520 debt and adjudicate both the creation and waiver issues.

The Board dismissed the appeal for entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sacroiliitis and left lower extremity varicose veins due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is being asked to provide additional medical evidence, including treatment records from her active duty service.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for complications of right inguinal herniorrhaphy with mesh, including hole in upper right groin, hydroceles, weakness of right side from groin down the leg, and emotional distress, finding that these conditions were not caused by VA care or treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information in the November 2017 VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's Barrett's esophagus is related to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depression, and whether it was caused or aggravated by this condition. The examiner must address these issues as well as the Veteran's treatment for stomach problems during service.