Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notification of the appellant's August 2018 substantive appeal and her right to a hearing.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for mycosis fungoides and has also granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disease and right foot cellulitis due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain his treatment records from Dr. R.S., and a new opinion is needed regarding the etiology of any cellulitis or foot disease during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his thoracic spine disability and entitlement to TDIU due to the need for additional evidence, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's disability compensation benefits were reduced due to his incarceration, resulting in an overpayment. The decision is remanded for a detailed audit and notification of appeal rights.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for heart valve disability, finding that the evidence does not support a causal link between VA treatment and the disability.

The Veteran's right hip disability, including avulsion fracture residuals, degenerative joint disease, and trochanteric bursitis, has been rated at 10 percent since December 30, 2008. The Board found that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's cause of death, hepatic failure due to or as a consequence of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the small bowel, is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.

The Board has granted accrued benefits for the Veteran's death, finding that his income was below the maximum annual pension rate and he met other eligibility criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability, finding that there is no evidence of gastritis during military service and insufficient medical nexus to establish a link between current symptoms and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot condition, previously claimed as a bilateral foot condition. The right foot condition claim was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve continuously on active duty from January 12, 2011 to January 11, 2012 and thus the discontinuance of her VA disability compensation payments was improper.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx resulted from carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of dependency benefits for his dependent child, M., based on school attendance from June 5, 2019 was granted by the Board. The termination of benefits due to M.'s graduation from high school was improper.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous directives and an expert medical opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's heart condition, including its relation to service, herbicide exposure, in-service viral infection, and in-service duties.

The Board has decided the case is not ready for final decision and has ordered additional development to clarify the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a throat disorder and lumps on the right and left hands due to incomplete development. The Veteran's claims will be returned for additional development, including obtaining updated clinical records and military personnel records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for a dental condition.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his cardiac arrest.

The claim for service connection for rectal cancer was reopened and denied. The claim for secondary service connection for hydronephrosis due to rectal cancer was also denied.