Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 5, 2015, for additional dependency benefits due to his current spouse. The decision states that VA received notice of the marriage within a year of the event but does not consider it as a valid claim because the Veteran did not submit evidence of the marriage within one year of the event.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee is being remanded due to a need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied recognition of the appellant as the surviving spouse of the Veteran due to a lack of continuous cohabitation prior to his death, despite their remaining married.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the appellant has a form or manifestation of spina bifida, other than spina bifida occulta. A VA examination is needed to clarify this.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his fatal heart conditions and military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lichen planus of the right lower extremity may be related to her service-connected disabilities, but more evidence is needed for a definitive determination.

The Veteran's skin disorders and bilateral upper and lower extremity conditions are being remanded for further development, including locating VA treatment records prior to April 2011 and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran's debt was waived, and thus the issue of retroactive reduction of his disability compensation benefits is moot.

The Board has remanded the claims for rectal cancer due to asbestos exposure, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities as secondary to rectal cancer. The case is being returned to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current condition of rectal cancer and his service-connected asbestos exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear information about R.K.'s marriage and potential annulment, as well as a possible issue of sole administrative error in creating an overpayment.

The Veteran received emergency medical treatment for upper respiratory infection, vomiting, and cough at Monroe Regional Medical Center on November 26, 2015. The Board found that the nearest VA facility was not feasibly available due to Thanksgiving holiday closures, and granted payment for the unauthorized medical expenses.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a challenge regarding the creation of an overpayment. The validity of the debt must be resolved before considering the waiver request.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the left foot, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to a 1981 injury during Army Reserves service.

The Veteran's reduced rating for the residuals of maxilla fracture with bone graft and prosthetic bridge is restored to 40 percent. The claim of entitlement to a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's Raynaud’s syndrome is rated at 20 percent since December 20, 2018. The Board denied an increase in the rating due to lack of evidence showing characteristic attacks occurring daily.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed to determine if the Appellant's net worth exceeds the maximum limit for pension eligibility. The claim will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in verifying the Decedent's service records, particularly from his reported periods of service in the Puerto Rico National Guard and Army National Guard.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's thoracic spine disability and remanded his TDIU claim. The decision summary is that the Veteran's thoracic spine disability was manifested by flexion to 80 degrees, extension to 10 degrees, with no ankylosis.

The Veteran's hypotonic bladder requires self-catheterization to assist with voiding dysfunction, and he is granted a disability rating of 60 percent.