Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected bilateral foot condition was granted, with the effective date set at April 2, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma related disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a dependency award based on school attendance from July 1, 2013 for dependent child A.B. is granted due to the Veteran's timely notification and VA's failure to notify her about extending the award.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a dispute over the creation of an educational assistance overpayment. The Veteran disputes that the current $1,280.50 debt was properly created and is requesting further review.

The Veteran is found competent to handle the disbursement of VA funds, as evidenced by multiple VA examiners and field examiners who have consistently determined that he can manage his financial affairs.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity stress fracture residuals, as well as right hip arthritis, have been granted. The case is remanded to obtain an additional medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's current left hip arthritis.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory condition and has remanded the issue of service connection for varicose veins in the left testicle due to incomplete examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's brain cancer may be related to herbicide agent exposure, but needs further medical opinion to determine this conclusively.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis with anemia is rated at 100 percent, and he also qualifies for SMC based on housebound status. As a result, his TDIU claim is moot.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension because he did not meet basic eligibility requirements due to serving fewer than 90 days on active duty and having no service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right leg injury and right foot pain due to outstanding service records not being obtained. The Veteran's National Guard personnel and treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lupus, loss of eyesight secondary to lupus, and chest pain secondary to lupus due to incomplete verification of his National Guard service records and a need for further medical opinions.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's VR&E benefits appeal, and the case will be returned to the RO for consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes cavus was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and needs a new opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity symptoms, including Reynaud’s syndrome and Bell's palsy.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left hip bursitis as secondary to the already service-connected bilateral pes planus. However, it denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder other than the already service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations for bilateral knee disabilities and entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the Veteran's feet due to procedural errors in the previous decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer, which is considered a new and material condition based on evidence not previously submitted. The Board found that this cancer was likely caused by herbicide exposure during active duty service.

The Board has decided that A.G. and C.L. are eligible to agent fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the June 2018 Board decision and August 2018 rating decision which effectuated the grant of TDIU. However, the issue of whether C.L. is eligible for payment of attorney fees needs to be addressed by issuing an SOC. The amount of fees to be paid to A.G. and C.L., if they are both determined eligible, must be decided by the VA Office of General Counsel (OGC).

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.