Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim for service connection of ruptured eardrums has been dismissed as the Veteran and their representative have withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran died of colon cancer, but the Board found that VA's care and treatment did not cause or contribute to his death. The claim for DIC benefits is denied.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a punctured colon during gall bladder removal surgery due to lack of evidence showing carelessness, negligence, or similar instance on part of VA.

The Board has granted service connection for melanocytotic nevi, finding that the Veteran's skin disability had its onset in service and continued thereafter. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's neurogenic cardiac syncope is being remanded for additional development as the VA has not received all relevant medical records, particularly those pertaining to her December 2017 pacemaker reimplantation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back injury is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn due to his execution of a RAMP election form, which resulted in the case being sent back for further review at the regional office level. The decision is dismissed as there are no specific issues or errors to address.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to his own willful misconduct and not in the line of duty, therefore service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung condition, including restrictive lung disease and pulmonary granulomatosis, is attributable to service. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Guam. Therefore, the cause of death cannot be attributed to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for pruritus ani from March 17, 2015 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 10, 2018 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for rash/lesions is pending and requires further review.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for stroke with right eye residuals was dismissed as he withdrew the appeal before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's child was granted Level IV benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 3.815 for a birth defect that prevented age-appropriate self-care and caused inappropriate communication, behavior, and social interaction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to discrepancies in the number of drill days and deductions from VA compensation pay for fiscal year 2015. The Veteran needs to provide documentation verifying his drill days, and an audit should be conducted to confirm the correct amount of deductions.

The Veteran's service-connected abdominal wounds are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes due to lack of a formal marriage ceremony and failure to meet the requirements for a deemed valid common law marriage.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, the right shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are each rated at 20 percent, and bilateral plantar fasciitis from July 17, 2018 is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's fatty liver disease is related to his service in Southwest Asia and remands for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion.