Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's Graves' disease and Bell's palsy are currently rated as non-compensable. The Board finds that the current evaluations do not reflect the severity of her disabilities, and thus remands for further development to determine their current nature and severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to gather more recent medical records as the most recent VA treatment notes are dated in September 2012.

The Veteran's perirectal abscess with retained rectal fistula disability has been rated at 10 percent throughout the period on appeal, as it manifests with constant slight or occasional moderate leakage.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at the intermediate rate between SMC-M and SMC-N with an additional single rating under SMC-K for loss of use of both hands, upper extremities, one foot (due to Skull Loss), and three lower extremities due to service-connected disabilities. The appeal was remanded for further development regarding need for higher level care.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's unspecified neurocognitive disorder had its onset in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for astigmatism as there is no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury in service that created an additional disability.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Veteran's mild scoliosis with musculoskeletal strain disability is manifested by range of motion of forward flexion to no less than 90 degrees and a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees, without muscle spasm or guarding; abnormal gait; or additional loss of function on repetition due to pain, weakness, fatigability, or lack of endurance. The Veteran's disability is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or Gulf War exposure. The Board also noted that ulcerative colitis is not considered a presumptive disease under VA regulations.

The Board denied the application to reopen the previously denied claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that no new and material evidence was received since the April 2017 rating decision.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for service-connected right rotator cuff impingement and tendonitis. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board denied service connection for conjunctivitis and retinopathy (central serous) as there was no evidence of current disability or causation in service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence after the last decision, and a new SSOC is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for tremors of the arms and hands due to lack of evidence linking them to military service.,Service connection for a disorder manifested by sleep impairment is also denied as there is no diagnosed condition during or related to service. The Veteran's current sleep issues are considered part of his already established service-connected psychiatric disability.,The Board has remanded the claim for residuals of colon cancer, requesting an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether these conditions may be linked to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for Dupuytren's contracture of the left middle finger and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to be provided with another VA examination to assess the severity of his left fingers disability.

The appeal for service connection of dementia and major cognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of cholangiocarcinoma due to a lack of supporting evidence, including potential radiation exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU prior to December 6, 2000 was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for head, neck, and back injuries are granted. However, the Board finds that further remand is required to verify his active or inactive duty status on the date of a motor vehicle accident.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA benefits due to his discharge from active military service under other than honorable conditions, which was based on a conviction for misconduct involving moral turpitude. The appeal is dismissed as there are no issues related to service connection.