Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of March 15, 2012 for the 10 percent ratings for tendonitis in both hands. The Veteran's claim for higher ratings was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to unclear evidence regarding her left leg condition, including conflicting MRI reports. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination findings, and additional VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for premature ovarian failure and osteoporosis, but has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to lack of adequate evidence.

The Board found that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $1,618.00 was properly created due to changes in the Veteran's marital status and notified dependents.

The Board has granted service connection for post-polio syndrome, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing polio was aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected vasovagal syncope is granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the entire claim period, with occasional dizziness as the primary symptom.

The Board found that the reduction in compensation rate to 10% was proper, but the effective date of April 25, 2016 was incorrect. The overpayment is granted for $2,361.79 from April 25, 2016 through September 30, 2016.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s claimed conditions.

The Board has granted recognition of the Veteran's mother as his dependent parent starting from April 2, 2015. The decision denies recognition for the Veteran's father prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient response from the examiner regarding herbicide agent exposure and aggravation by other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate neurological examination, and additional VA treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's domestic partnership with J.B. is not considered a marriage for VA purposes, and therefore the Veteran is denied recognition of J.B. as his dependent spouse. The Veteran's stepchild T.B., whose mother is not considered his spouse, is also denied recognition as his dependent child.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reinstate her VA survivor’s pension benefits as of February 1, 2016 due to her income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's Crohn’s disease and mucinous adenocarcinoma are granted service connection for purposes of accrued benefits. The cause of death is also granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete examination and additional evidence. The Veteran's narcolepsy and dizziness claims are related to service-connected disabilities, but more information is needed regarding whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by medications used to treat those disabilities.

The Board denied retroactive Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits for the college education received by the appellant's mother, as the claim was not submitted within one year of the rating decision granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 26, 2016 for the award of special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for her service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood was granted. From October 31, 2018 forward, the Veteran received a disability rating of 70 percent. Additionally, she was granted TDIU due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypercholesterolemia during service caused or was otherwise related to his arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which was listed as his immediate cause of death. The appellant is also seeking service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.