Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for a paid and due audit to address increases in compensation payments including additional payments for dependency, retirement pay, and CRDP, as well as any applicable explanation for 'phase-in' payments.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination, and thus the case is being remanded for an appropriate examination.

The Veteran's left hip disability is rated at 20 percent effective May 17, 2019. The condition was previously rated as 10 percent prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a failure to provide a VA examination or opinion for the Veteran's bilateral hip disorders. The Veteran missed her scheduled VA examinations due to pregnancy, and the AOJ is required to schedule her for new examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it before a decision was made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand pain and numbness, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, nor any continuity of symptoms since service. The Board also found that the medical evidence does not support a link between current hand pain and numbness and active duty.

The Board has determined that the matter is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues and remands it back for compliance with contested claims procedures.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between any service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for residuals of right hand fifth metacarpal fracture and left ring fracture have been denied.,The Veteran’s appeal for service connection for hypertension has been remanded due to insufficient opinion regarding onset or etiology.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VRAP benefits in the amount of $2087.47 was validly created and granted a waiver, considering the Veteran's mitigating circumstances such as her stress and anxiety issues, reliance on the VRAP program, and financial hardship.

The Veteran's circadian sleep disorder was granted a 30 percent rating from October 10, 2010 to October 12, 2016.,An effective date earlier than May 24, 2019 for the 50 percent rating for circadian sleep disorder (claimed as insomnia) was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and for accrued benefits, finding no evidence to support a link between any in-service conditions and his death.

The Board has determined that psoriatic arthritis (of the entire body) had its onset during active service and granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to multiple myeloma, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to military service or exposure to radiation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left eye disability, finding that there is no evidence of current disability and insufficient evidence to establish one during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral eye disability, specifically whether it was incurred in service or related to his time in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral jaw fracture residuals were granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent from September 27, 2018. The condition was found to warrant this rating due to limited motion of the inter-incisal range.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for cause of death, finding that the evidence did not reach a level of equipoise and thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection due to a November 1965 motor vehicle accident is being remanded. Additionally, the issue of special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is also being remanded.

The Board has decided that the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for Fiscal Year 2015 due to concurrent receipt of military pay was proper, but it is remanded because there are issues regarding the amount of the debt and whether it is valid.