Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for Morton’s neuroma, left third metatarsal, residual of a stress fracture; service connection for a left leg disorder; and service connection for a left knee disorder, to include as secondary to Morton’s neuroma have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals prior to promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear information about the appellant's eligibility for substitution and a need to obtain VA treatment records from the Huntington, West Virginia VAMC.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right foot disorder is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the termination of the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension from August 1, 2013 to June 7, 2014 was improper and restored the pension for this period.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for lymphoma (claimed as cancer) has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected narcolepsy renders him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for Chapter 33 education benefits for an on-the-job training program from September 6, 2016 to September 30, 2016 was denied as the enrollment period was more than one year prior to the date of claim.

The Board has granted the vacatur of the February 27, 2020 decision and restored a compensable rating for residuals of right hip delayed union of pelvis pubis fracture based on limitation of extension. The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for other conditions is denied.

The appeal has been dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral tibiae disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either tibia.

The Veteran's stomach disorder and gastritis are not service-connected, and his mandible fracture residuals have been rated at the maximum allowable level since September 10, 2017.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims before the Board could make a decision, so the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right arm disorder and a right hand disorder, finding that there is no current evidence of such conditions or any causal relationship to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder because there is no current disability and the Veteran died from liver cancer, which did not result from a lung condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot arthritis and acquired pes cavus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The decision is based on credible lay statements of the Veteran regarding his symptoms during and since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional information. The Appellant's motion for financial hardship was granted, but she requested more time to submit additional evidence before a new SSOC is issued.

The Veteran's left Achilles tendon injury resulted in moderate to severe pain, weakness, and limited mobility prior to September 25, 2015. From that date onwards, the disability was rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines for loss of use of a foot.

The Board has denied service connection for vitiligo and left shin 'scarring' (dermatitis) as well as vision impairment. The psychiatric disability claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his ear, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal disabilities. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions addressing these issues.