Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence, but the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right eye disability, including idiopathic choroidal neovascularization and choroidal osteoma, has been rated at 30 percent since the entire period on appeal. The rating is based on visual impairment due to the condition.

The Veteran's cause of death, pulmonary fibrosis, is found to be related to his exposure to biomass fuels during active service. The claim for the cause of death has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of various disabilities was denied. The effective date for the award of dependency benefits for his spouse (R.M.) is fixed at September 26, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation and rating consideration.

The Veteran's effective date for recognizing his spouse R.K. as a dependent is granted to March 21, 2012.

The Board has determined that the termination of an apportionment of the Veteran’s VA compensation benefits to the appellant, on behalf of their minor child P.K., is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues. The case involves a simultaneously contested claim and requires full compliance with special procedural regulations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, which was dismissed due to his explicit withdrawal.

The Veteran's right hip disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of her condition, as she has asserted that the previous examination did not accurately capture her current disability picture.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the lack of documentation from the VA examination and scheduling an appropriate VA examination for the Veteran's bilateral Dupuytren’s Contracture.

The Veteran's uterine prolapse is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found no evidence of complete prolapse to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a feet disability, as the Veteran's pes planus was not aggravated by his active service. The other claims were remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the claim for service connection for a joint and nerve disorder of the bilateral lower extremities is dismissed.

The Veteran's son, who is over 18 years old and not a child for VA purposes due to his mental health condition, cannot receive DIC benefits as he did not become permanently incapable of self-support before the age of 18.

The Board has determined that the matter is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues, and thus remands it for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected photophobia is granted a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity disabilities due to deficiencies in the September 2017 VA examination. A new examination is required to determine if the Veteran has a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's left hip DJD has resulted in symptoms such as painful motion, flexion to 30 degrees, abduction, adduction, and rotation to 20 degrees. The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it through his authorized representative.