Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board is unable to make a fully informed decision on the claim due to missing records of notification about the Veteran's spouse's death, which are necessary for proper adjudication.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's smoking history and its relation to esophageal cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for polycythemia vera, thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly, and anemia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hairy cell leukemia. The claim for chromosome damage is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's eye conditions and his service. The examiner needs to provide a comprehensive opinion on whether these conditions are related to service, including consideration of any aggravation by other disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities due to new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate for a Veteran with a spouse claiming aid and attendance. The Board has ordered remand to allow the Veteran to report all his unreimbursed medical expenses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left hand fifth metacarpal fracture and mandible fracture due to new evidence received since the April 2016 SOC, including a worsening of his disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations to evaluate the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected bilateral retinal detachment with diplopia and left knee disability, as well as a TDIU rating. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's right distal radius fracture residuals are rated at 70 percent from October 1, 2010. SMC based on loss of use of the right hand is granted effective June 24, 2010, and SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective February 3, 2012.

The Veteran's death prevented any accrued benefits from being awarded as he had no pending claims and was permanently barred from receiving VA benefits due to his forfeiture of eligibility for VA benefits.

The Veteran's right eye disability, which includes a tumor of the right orbit, has not shown any visual impairment or disfigurement. As such, he is only entitled to a 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hyperlipidemia, listed as a cause of death on his death certificate, was caused by his exposure to herbicide agents while in service. The examiner is asked to review the medical article submitted by the appellant and consider if there is any link between TCDD (Agent Orange) exposure and hyperlipidemia.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for carotid artery disease, stroke, and frontal dural based mass due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service or service-connected conditions. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has restored the Veteran's Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits effective January 1, 2019. The decision was based on the evidence showing that the Veteran did not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation in calendar year 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of onychomycosis on the Veteran's toenails, which was incurred during service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.