Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cause of death was metastatic pancreatic cancer, which the Board found not related to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's testicle disability is granted as service connected, but his left middle finger injury is denied.

The Veteran's death is related to his military service, specifically exposure to ionizing radiation and herbicide agents while serving in the waters of the Republic of Vietnam. The appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran’s asserted exposures.

The Veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the left sterno-mastoid muscle and trapezius are rated at 10 percent each, with separate ratings for Muscle Groups I and XXII. The Veteran is granted a rating of 10 percent for the left trapezius affecting Muscle Group I.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition. A new examination is needed to determine if his condition is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a joint disorder, finding that the Veteran's current joint disorder is not etiologically related to her active service or due to or aggravated by medications used to treat her service-connected asthma.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 9, 2012 for a 60 percent rating for restrictive pulmonary disease. The decision was based on new and material evidence received within a year of the December 2013 rating action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an examination and additional records, as there is indication of potential additional left eye disability caused by the November 2009 cataract surgery.

The Board denied service connection for blood clots and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have an onset in active service or for many years thereafter.,Service connection was granted for PTSD based on new evidence received since the June 2005 rating decision.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for peripheral vascular disease (PVD) as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), after considering all evidence and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided that additional records are needed to properly assess the Veteran's DIC claim, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's Tourette's syndrome and adjustment disorder with anxious and depressed mood resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to August 25, 2017. The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for non-Hodgkins lymphoma and chronic lymphoma leukemia has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, but the Board found no basis for a higher rating due to lack of evidence of more severe instability or limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 30 percent for service-connected stricture of esophagus is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for stricture of esophagus prior to February 12, 2018, is denied.

The Board has restored a 100% rating for the Veteran's service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia, finding that there was no material improvement in his condition and thus restoring the previous higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection and aggravation of pre-existing heart disorder. The Veteran's death was caused by hypertensive cardiac vascular disease, but there is no clear evidence that it was aggravated during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, so the claim is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran had PTSD related to combat in Vietnam, which is necessary for service connection of his cause of death.