Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on left elbow flexion, extension, and supination and/or pronation conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand conditions due to additional VA treatment records and further development is required with respect to the cause of his condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than December 18, 2008 for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance was returned to the Board.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left and right foot pronation were dismissed due to her passing away before a decision could be made.

Service connection for a rectal muscular condition (to include levator ani syndrome) is granted. A compensable rating of 10 percent (but no higher) for service-connected hemorrhoids is also granted, effective May 29, 2012.

The Board has split the issues of waiver of recovery into two separate issues due to factual distinctness. The Veteran's overpayment debt is due to both retroactive reduction for incarceration after felony conviction and retroactive removal of a dependent spouse and child.

The Veteran's right leg disability and loss of use of both feet are being remanded for further development to determine if they are related to his service-connected epilepsy and/or low back disability, as well as to address the issue of SMC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cecal cancer, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current condition and his period of active duty. The Board noted that the evidence did not show a nexus to herbicide agent exposure or right lower quadrant pain in service.

The Board found that the Appellant's character of discharge for willful and persistent misconduct constitutes a bar to payment of VA benefits, other than health care under Chapter 17.

The Veteran's service-connected alopecia is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that the current rating does not adequately account for the significant impact of her hair loss on her daily activities and relationships, including employment. Therefore, the case is being remanded to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus disability, finding that the arthritis is aggravated by obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to missing VA records and the need for updated examinations. The right eye disability case is related to a service-connected left eye disability, while the left eye disability and disfigurement cases are seeking higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for BPH with LUTS and chronic prostatitis has been reopened, but the issue of entitlement to service connection remains pending. The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower urinary tract symptoms.

The Veteran's bowel dysfunction prior to July 26, 2018 resulted in impairment of rectal sphincter control with leakage necessitating wearing of a pad. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for this period.,From July 26, 2018, the Veteran’s bowel dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent as he has not demonstrated complete loss of sphincter control.

The Veteran's death was caused by brain astrocytoma, which the Board found likely due to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot because of the grant of service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hysterectomy, finding that there was no causal relationship between her current condition and her active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for spine and musculoskeletal conditions, but has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left distal radial fracture is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity and functional impact of the condition, including any flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an ulcer was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot disorder and left foot disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.