Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any bilateral hip disorders are related to service or secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The examiner is asked to consider all pertinent evidence, including lay statements and medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a certificate of eligibility for an automobile and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only, as the claim was fully granted in November 2017.

The Veteran's death caused the appellant to be eligible for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, but her claim was denied because she had already reached the age of 31 by the time she filed her request.

The Veteran's appeal is for separate ratings for residuals of his left inguinal hernia surgery, other than scars and the associated ilioinguinal neurectomy. The VA has yet to address this issue in their previous rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claim for a benefits payment rate in excess of 90 percent for education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is denied due to his involuntary discharge not qualifying him for the 100% rate based on service-connected disability.

The Board has decided that the issue of entitlement to an increased apportionment in excess of $150 per month to the appellant on behalf of D.T. needs further development and is therefore remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for polycythemia vera, finding that the Veteran's exposure to toxic chemicals during active service is etiologically related to his condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence submitted, but finds that his right pinky finger amputation is not related to his active military service. The surgery was deemed elective and did not result in any disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with its previous directives, specifically regarding whether the overpayment was properly created. The Veteran's challenge to the validity of the debt is pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development, specifically needing a VA examination for skeletal arthritis.

The Veteran is granted Chapter 33 education benefits at the 60 percent rate, but no higher due to her ROTC scholarship obligation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for stage 4 colorectal cancer, due to asbestos exposure, has been dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ataxia and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both need to be addressed together.

The Board has remanded the case for a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right big toe disability, specifically whether it is related to service-connected disabilities or if it was caused by his own actions while climbing stairs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals associated with facial injuries status-post surgery, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to its inextricability with another TDIU claim, and will be reconsidered after resolving that issue.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was not caused by or related to his service, including exposure to asbestos and Agent Orange. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for recognizing F.W. as the Veteran's spouse for additional dependency compensation, finding that no evidence supports a claim before December 28, 2016.

The Veteran's TTE claim for hospitalization and treatment of B-cell lymphoma from February 3, 2016 to March 30, 2016 is denied as the condition is not service-connected.