Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the cause of death and exposure to chemicals during service.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking his fatal hypertensive cardiovascular disease to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination and requests a new one that addresses all reported symptoms of earaches, other pain, pressure, vertigo and headaches.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer may be related to exposure to radiation during his service at Johnston Atoll, but the VA needs to obtain and review his medical records from Kaiser Permanente and other providers. The VA will then prepare a dose estimate for the Veteran based on his service record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's glioblastoma was caused by herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's right hip surgery and prosthetic implant warrant a temporary total rating for purposes of convalescence following hip replacement, as per the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking an effective date prior to September 1, 2015 for the award of death pension benefits. The Board has decided this issue and remanded it due to a lack of information regarding whether the appellant applied for Social Security benefits on a form prescribed by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected residual fracture of the left navicular bone is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has found that his symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination in May 2017 and has ordered a new examination to assess the current severity.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for prostate disability, as the VA examiner's opinion did not comply with the October 2019 remand directives regarding in-service treatment and whether it is related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pituitary microadenoma is related to service, specifically his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient rationale in the February 2018 VA examination to support a finding of peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's radiculopathy, which was diagnosed by EMG testing, needs further clarification and potential additional diagnostic testing.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits was denied due to his failure to provide the necessary income and net worth information, making it impossible for VA to determine his eligibility.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The Board finds that the current diagnoses of arthritis and meniscal tear are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver cancer has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder manifested by dyspnea upon exertion is granted as service connection, based on the presumption of undiagnosed illness due to exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed, and her claim for higher Chapter 33 benefits is denied.

The Veteran's emphysema was denied for increased ratings prior to December 14, 2018 and in excess of 10 percent afterwards.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for malaria, finding that there is no clinical evidence demonstrating anemia as a residual of malaria.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a fungal infection of the toes due to incomplete development and lack of relevant service records. The case will be returned for further investigation.

The Veteran's right and left eye disabilities are denied as not related to service. The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted a 30% rating, but no higher.