Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to recent information received from the Veteran and the Joint Service Records Research Center. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the service connection claims for fibroadenomas of the breasts and the residuals of breast cancer needs to be supplemented with a rationale addressing the risk of breast cancer associated with 'complex fibroadenoma'.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an additional VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right hand disability, including limitations and functional impairments.

The Veteran's permanent and total disability rating for lichen planus with squamous cell carcinoma of the mandible is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current functional status.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess whether the Veteran currently has a diagnosed bilateral hamstring disorder, or if his current symptoms are related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was abandoned due to the failure to complete and return a VA Form 21-8940, which is needed to determine his employment status.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, which may be related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran should provide additional private and VA treatment records, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for metal in the jaw and skull have been remanded due to outstanding records, including service personnel records and VA treatment records. The appeal is also reopened as new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has decided that the Appellant's pension benefits were overpaid due to her receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) income. The case is being remanded for proper notice and assistance.

The Board has remanded both the service connection claim for a cardiovascular disorder and the cause of death claim due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service, particularly exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and a need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide authorization for any private treatment records, and an appropriate VA examination will be conducted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of trench foot is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had a diagnosis of trench foot during active service and continues to have it now, with continuity from service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for undifferentiated connective tissue disorder, myositis, and Sjogren’s syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to procedural issues and additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the procedural steps for a simultaneously contested claim have not been completed, and thus remands the case to ensure full compliance with the procedures.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the failure to perform EMG and nerve conduction studies as requested in previous Board decisions. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity cold injury residuals and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's multiple myeloma is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Gulf War.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left ring finger disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation due to limitation of motion and no evidence of more nearly approximating ankylosis.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for recognition as the valid surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of VA benefits due to lack of specific error in determination and failure to allege such.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran and requests that both parties provide updated income and expense information. The issues of entitlement to an increased apportionment of VA compensation benefits and an effective date prior to October 14, 2011 for such benefits are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's service connection claim for leukemia, including as due to herbicide exposure, is granted. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in Korea and grants presumptive service connection.