Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date of March 27, 2015 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected conditions. The decision also found that the Veteran's cataracts are not secondary to his service-connected ocular arteriosclerosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow disability, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for prostatitis and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inadequate reasons and bases provided in the February 2019 decision. The Veteran’s claim of increased rating for prostatitis is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a qualified VA examiner, while his TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the prostatitis claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back injury, chest pain, and an increased rating for hypertension due to inadequate examination reports and lack of relevant medical records.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for special monthly death pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance, as well as reimbursement for his mother's burial and last sickness expenses. The decision found that the appellant was not entitled to these benefits due to lack of evidence showing he paid the required expenses.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to new VA treatment records and examination reports that have not been previously considered by the AOJ.

The Board denied recognition of N. as the Veteran's dependent child for VA purposes due to lack of legal adoption, despite primary custody and care.

The Board denied service connection for left-hand and right-hand disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and insufficient documentation of the VA examiner's review. The Veteran is asked to provide any additional private or VA treatment records, especially from the University of Michigan Hospital system.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons for denying service connection for a pulmonary coin lesion, as there is equipoise evidence regarding asbestos exposure. The Veteran's nautical service in Vietnam qualifies him for presumptive service connection for herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's skin disability is rated at 10 percent prior to January 16, 2019 and at 30 percent from that date onward. The Board has ordered a remand for further evaluation of the Veteran’s use of topical corticosteroids.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diastasis recti and shin splints due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active duty or whether any period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA aggravated these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the underlying award was retroactively adjusted, invalidating the debt.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue regarding clarification of a VA examination, specifically addressing whether the Veteran suffered additional disability as a result of his March 2012 total knee replacement surgery.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition, manifested by dry and peeling skin of the hands, as it found no evidence linking this condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's disability rating for disc displacement with myelopathy and degenerative changes (claimed as back surgery, and scoliosis) was increased to 20 percent effective May 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant due to incomplete development. The Veteran needs additional VA examination and medical opinion to determine if he meets the criteria for these benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including neurological testing and an opinion on whether obesity is an intermediate step between the service-connected back disability and the urinary disorder.

The Board denied service connection for neurocardiogenic syndrome and presyncope, finding no evidence of a link to active duty service. The claim for sleep apnea was also denied as there is no direct evidence linking the condition to service.