Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the case is no longer under jurisdiction.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the neck and tongue is related to his herbicide exposure during military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for vasovagal syncope was denied as there were no cardiovascular symptoms to support a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied, with the Board finding that his combined disability rating did not meet the required percentage standards and that he could still secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a dental disorder has been dismissed. The VA has also remanded the issues regarding his left shoulder disability and TDIU.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 1, 2015 for DIC benefits as the Appellant filed a claim within one year of her husband's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 18, 2011 for a 10% rating for bilateral spondylosis with sclerosis of the apophyseal joint. The evidence did not show that the disability warranted a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hairy-cell leukemia, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 20, 2015 for the award of dependency benefits for his current spouse S.A.K. is denied as VA was not notified of a change in dependents' status before that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Appellant failing to report for a scheduled hearing and because records related to his application for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits need to be requested. The Appellant should also provide release forms from any correctional facility where he received treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and unclear eligibility for Self-Employment Category 1 designation. The Veteran needs a vocational rehabilitation evaluation to determine if self-employment is feasible.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hyperkeratotic callus, both feet with bilateral onychomycosis was granted. Service connection is also granted for recurrent skin lesions, to include hyperkeratotic callus, both feet.

The Veteran's service-connected spastic colon with chronic diarrhea is not rated higher than noncompensable due to the lack of abdominal distress, despite frequent bowel disturbances.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gallbladder disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between her current gallbladder condition and her military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder, finding that it did not clearly and unmistakably pre-exist service and was not related to any in-service injury or illness. The Veteran's current diagnosis of arthritis is attributed to his ankle rather than his foot.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no service connection issues were decided.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient attempts by VA to verify the Veteran's TDY travels in Vietnam, which could affect his claim for service connection for the cause of death on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's appeal of the recoupment of separation pay benefits from VA disability compensation is remanded due to conflicting information regarding his gross separation pay amount. The Board requests further verification from DFAS.

The Board has remanded the case to consider entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period prior to December 21, 2015 due to service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal, finding that her VR&E benefits should be discontinued due to lack of cooperation and failure to provide medical documentation supporting her claim of an allergy preventing her from working as a Pharmacy Technician.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's service on USS Bainbridge exposed him to herbicide agents, which could affect his claim for lymphoma.