Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for accrued benefits and reimbursement of burial expenses are pending, but have not been fully adjudicated. The decision is remanded to allow for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition, finding that there was clear and unmistakable evidence that the pre-existing condition did not worsen beyond its natural progression during active duty.

The Veteran's Tourette's syndrome, a convulsive tic, is found to have started during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service in 2014. The Board granted the claim based on the evidence showing that the tics began during this period and have persisted since.

The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical, dorsal, and lumbar spinal segments was granted initial ratings of 20%, 10%, and 20% respectively from January 8, 1983 to December 31, 2005.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for blepharospasm and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for ptosis and dry eye disorder were denied because the evidence did not establish a causal link between his disabilities and his active duty.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Appellant, who was the surviving spouse of the Veteran and a claimant in this case, died during the pendency of the appeal. As a result, there is no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal regarding the effective date for death pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and a need for further medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for respiratory condition, left leg condition, and right leg condition. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to his Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left eye disorders, specifically left eye cataracts and ocular hypertension.

The Veteran's hairy-cell leukemia is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for the cause of death and primary hepatic carcinoma. The VA is required to provide new medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected low back disability caused or aggravated her overactive bladder and voiding dysfunctions. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulitis and residuals of colostomy, as well as a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service did not fall within a period of war, so he does not meet the eligibility requirements for non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a current VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected partial loss of taste and smell, as there is conflicting medical evidence regarding the extent of his disability.

The Veteran's son, J.C.O., was not shown to have been permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18. The Board denied recognition as a helpless child due to his multi-year employment history.

The Board has decided that the issue of service connection for the Veteran's cause of death needs to be reconsidered and a new opinion is required.

The Veteran's disability rating for his right lower leg condition is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with determining whether the Veteran was a fugitive felon and thus eligible for compensation benefits. The decision is pending further development.