Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a left little finger fracture was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified trauma-related disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran seeks compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for radiation cystitis, which is a residual of radiation therapy he received in 2003. The Board has found that there was inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and requires additional development to determine if informed consent was obtained for the radiation therapy.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral Parsonage-Turner syndrome due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled examination. The case is now pending and requires clarification on whether the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal, updating his mailing address, obtaining updated clinical records, and scheduling another examination.

The Board has granted a general apportionment to the appellant on behalf of herself and her children D.F., C.E., and B.F. for the periods prior to August [REDACTED], 2007, between August [REDACTED], 2007 and January 1, 2008, and after January 1, 2008.

The claims for gall bladder disorder and Barrett's esophagus, both related to radiation exposure, are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of the Veteran's exposure to chemicals from burn pits and its relation to her breast cancer.

The Board has granted a separate initial rating of 10 percent for bruxism, effective December 17, 2016.

The Veteran's status post bilateral mastectomy is rated at an initial 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits because he did not have sufficient qualifying active duty service after September 10, 2001, as determined by the Department of Defense (DoD). The Veteran provided evidence showing his continued belief that he had such qualifying active duty service since the July 2014 decision, but this was considered duplicative. No new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current gynecological condition, including whether her March 2004 hysterectomy is related to service. The issue will be adjudicated de novo.

The Board has decided that the overpayment calculation is inaccurate and requires a detailed accounting of amounts received by the Veteran. The case is being sent back to VA for this purpose.

The Veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left arm cancer, finding that it was present within a year of his separation from active duty and is related to service.

The Veteran's net worth exceeds the maximum net worth limits for nonservice-connected pension benefits since October 18, 2018, and thus his claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The VA examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion on whether any of the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities combined with another disorder to cause his death, or aided or lent assistance to his death.

The Board denied service connection for right elbow disability as the evidence did not show a link between any current right elbow disorder and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her low back disability and service connection for urinary frequency are being remanded due to the need for additional development of records, including from Walter Reed Hospital and Hawley Army Hospital. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of her low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of lacerations of the right hand prior to August 16, 2018 was denied as his scars were not found to be painful or unstable.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for residuals of lacerations of the right hand since August 16, 2018 was denied as none of his scars were found to be painful or unstable.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's status-post coccygeal fracture from December 2, 2009.