Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to the inextricability of the issues, specifically regarding service connection for an eye disorder and a blood clot. The decision on one issue could significantly impact the other.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal distension, bloating, nausea, and frequent semi-formed stool, are considered an undiagnosed Gulf War illness. The Board found that the Veteran served in Iraq during the Persian Gulf War and exhibited signs of chronic disability related to this illness during his service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for right lower extremity meralgia paresthetica (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) was denied. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of mild incomplete paralysis, which equates to a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for dependency benefits based on his child attending school was denied as the earliest possible date of entitlement is one year before the claim was filed, which corresponds to September 1, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to glioblastoma multiforme, finding no link between the condition and service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right knee and ankle disabilities, as well as his TDIU claims prior to January 26, 2009, were denied by the Board. The Veteran's TDIU claim after April 1, 2009 was also denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 21, 2010 for the addition of the Veteran's current spouse to his VA disability compensation award. An earlier effective date is denied as there was no evidence of a marriage prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for further development. The Veteran needs to complete and return a VA Form 21-8940, Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected vulvovaginitis requires continuous treatment for her symptoms, which qualifies her for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for reinstatement of service-connected disability compensation benefits was denied as there is no clear evidence that he submitted a claim prior to December 5, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, finding that these conditions are not related to his active service or his service-connected right foot disability.,The VA examiner concluded that the bilateral hip conditions were less likely than not caused by or aggravated by the service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for urinary frequency, including as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The case is being returned for further development and an additional VA opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, finding that it did not have its onset in service and was not otherwise causally related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for skin condition and respiratory condition, finding no evidence of a current disability or exposure to asbestos/radiation during service.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment was denied because it was not filed within the required 180-day period after receiving notification of the overpayment.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip and left hip disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation. His TDIU claim has also been remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected death pension due to the appellant's income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, finding that the Veteran's current heart issues did not have their onset during active duty and are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy. The Board also found no evidence of herbicide exposure causing the heart condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's GI disorder, including pre-service vomiting and in-service treatment for gastroenteritis.