Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted as his soft tissue sarcoma, a disease presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service in Thailand, was caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, depressive type is rated at 70 percent since July 29, 2019. This rating is granted subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from March 2014 to the present from Hampton VAMC. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for hallux rigidus of both great toes are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for HIV, finding that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate a nexus between his service and his HIV.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service and its relation to his mesothelioma, which caused his death.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of degeneration, and the Board dismissed the issue as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability is being remanded due to the need for further examination and analysis. The Board finds that new evidence has been received, but more information is needed regarding the etiology of his current conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional service accounting.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome, bilateral leg pain, and an increased rating for optic neuritis of the left eye. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection rather than secondary or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than January 10, 2008, for a grant of service connection for pericarditis is dismissed as it cannot be collaterally attacked by filing a freestanding earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his stroke residuals are secondary or aggravated by his service-connected cerebral ataxia.

The Veteran's somatic symptom disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to November 27, 2017 and denied for a higher rating thereafter. The decision does not address service connection theory or exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for his knee conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Veteran's daughter applied for Chapter 35 DEA benefits prior to October 31, 2014. The appellant did not elect a start date within the required 60 days and was assigned an effective date of October 31, 2014. As such, her retroactive request is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastric ulcer is related to his active service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for multiple myeloma has been dismissed as his attorney withdrew the appeal in a March 2020 statement.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting fracture of the right sternoclavicular joint was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's allergy to poison ivy and/or poison oak existed prior to service. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on this matter.

The veteran's service was less than 90 days and he was discharged due to unfitness, not a service-connected disability. Therefore, he is denied eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits.