Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer and bilateral allergic conjunctivitis were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of a moderately severe disability picture or recurrent incapacitating episodes averaging 10 days or more in duration at least four times a year.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's hernia condition, finding that there was no evidence of a small hernia not well supported by a belt under ordinary conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the effective date for additional dependency benefits payable for T.M.H. as requested by the Veteran.

Your SMC claim has been granted and you are now receiving benefits. There is no ongoing issue for the Board to decide.

VA properly adjusted the appellant’s VA survivor’s pension benefits as of May 1, 2015. The RO counted her earned income and Social Security benefits for a full 12-month period following their receipt.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of DIC benefits due to her divorce from the Veteran, which is a bar to eligibility.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's dementia disorder, including Alzheimer’s disease. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disorders.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's employment prior to October 21, 2011 does not constitute marginal employment and is therefore not considered for TDIU. The case is being remanded for further development regarding whether his employment was in a protected environment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition, left index finger injury, and breathing problems due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sinus cyst and deviated septum have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, thus terminating his nonservice-connected pension benefits effective December 1, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for Hodgkin’s Disease/Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents due to the Veteran's service in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder and a compensable rating for deviated septum was denied. The issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran already receiving a 100% rating for Meniere's syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hand 5th finger tendon tear disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing partial amputation of the 5th finger was aggravated by an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for partial amputation of her left second toe, both prior to and after August 5, 2014. The case is being returned for further development including an examination to determine the nature and severity of her condition over the entire claim period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's interstitial lung disease is related to his in-service asbestos exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the appellant's request for nonservice-connected burial benefits. However, the appeal for service-connected burial benefits is not yet ripe due to pending issues and a need for substitution.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a sprained right foot and service connection for a urinary disorder, to include urethritis. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes cavus and costochondritis (rib pain) due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the right middle finger injury has been remanded due to a failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC).