Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left chest costochondritis has been rated at 10 percent since April 1, 2016. The Board found that the condition does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied DIC benefits because the Appellant was not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes due to a separation caused by her own infidelity, and not due to the Veteran's misconduct.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current back pain and a nodule on her lower back, as well as any other disability related to service.

The Veteran's respiratory cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure while serving in the Republic of Vietnam, and his service connection claim for this condition has been granted.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of March 1, 2010 for DIC benefits due to the appellant filing a claim within one year of her husband's death.

The Veteran was granted service connection for Tourette's syndrome with dystonia, finding that his pre-existing condition worsened during military service.

The Veteran's cause of death (cardiac arrest, septic shock, and empyema) is not service-connected. The appellant's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate for a surviving spouse without dependents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notification of the appellant's substantive appeal to the Veteran. The matter will be readjudicated after providing the content of the appellant’s February 2019 substantive appeal and notice of his right to request a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for adenomyosis and residuals of a myomectomy was granted. The Board also found that the Veteran had an enlarged uterus, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and burial benefits and plot allowance due to incomplete response from a VA physician in addressing specific articles provided by the Appellant.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to consider the merits of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for trigeminal neuralgia is remanded due to new evidence submitted after the previous denial, including testimony and magazine article. The Board considers this potentially related to in-service herbicide exposure based on recent legal interpretation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether VA treatment caused or contributed to the Veteran's death, and if so, whether it was due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The DIC claim is denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for entitlement to benefits under section 1318. The cause of death remanded due to lack of a medical opinion on the etiology of the colon cancer.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right eye pterygium is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's skin disorders and their relationship to his service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran is required to provide records of all treatment for his skin conditions, and an addendum opinion must be provided by a clinician addressing the nature and etiology of his diagnosed skin conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's March 2014 substantive appeal was not timely filed, and now remands the case to provide the Veteran and his representative with a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding this issue.

The Veteran's service did not qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits as he did not have 90 days of qualifying active duty after September 10, 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of an inguinal hernia, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and active service.