Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder, including superior labral degeneration/non-displaced tear, arthritis, and tendinopathy, is considered to have started during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of separate compensable disability ratings for psoriatic arthritis of the wrists, knees, and feet was denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to October 21, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral leg tremors and balance problems, as well as the eligibility for financial assistance for an automobile with adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only and specially adapted housing/special home adaptation. The Veteran's claim of service connection is reopened on new evidence, but further medical opinions are needed to address her psychiatric conditions and their impact on her ability to walk.

The Veteran's claim for waiver of overpayment was denied as the debt was valid and recovery would not defeat the purpose of VA benefits, resulting in undue financial hardship.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical expense reports submitted by the Veteran, which could affect his entitlement to nonservice-connected pension from September 16, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives regarding obtaining an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's skin condition.

The Board has determined that the matter should be recharacterized and remanded for a paid-and-due audit of the Veteran's VA compensation account for fiscal years 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2008. Additionally, the Veteran is to be provided with adequate notification regarding the elements necessary for a waiver of recovery of overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for evaluations related to left femur stress fractures have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Board denied service connection for embolic ischemic stroke and dyskinesia, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.,Specifically, the Board concluded that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms in service, nor did any condition manifest within one year post-service. The Board also found that the Veteran’s stroke was cryptogenic and not due to hyperlipidemia or leukocytosis.

The Veteran's service-connected left central retinal occlusion with loss of vision of the left eye and constriction of visual field of the right eye due to Behcet’s disease has been productive of blindness in one eye with no light perception, and constriction of visual field equivalent to 5/200. The Board granted a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the M level.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's urethral stricture disorder, finding that his current condition is related to symptoms he experienced during service.

The Board dismissed the issue of entitlement to a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA educational assistance benefits because the Court found that no overpayment was created.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's lung disorder and its relation to his military service, particularly his Gulf War service. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if he has any current lung/respiratory disorders related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, an examination to determine if shin splints are aggravated by service-connected left ankle or knee disabilities, and a TDIU claim.

The Board dismissed the claim as it is not appropriate for them to review since there are no questions of fact or law for consideration.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the overpayment of VA death pension benefits was properly created and whether a waiver of recovery is warranted. The issues include determining if the overpayment was valid due to administrative error, and deciding on the validity of the debt.

The Board has remanded the case due to confusion and contradictory information regarding the amount of overpayment debt, the years at issue, and the Veteran's financial hardship. The VA is instructed to prepare a paid and due audit showing exactly how much the Veteran’s VA compensation benefits were worth during each fiscal year at issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's neck disorder is related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's death claim and his Alzheimer's disease claim for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hand arthritis conditions.