Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residual osteoid osteoma of the right lower leg is granted, with a maximum rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's PVD of the bilateral lower extremities is granted with a 40% rating, effective February 1, 2019. A TDIU is also granted from June 14, 2012.

The July 1, 1980 rating decision discontinuing the Total Disability Rating for Compensation Purposes (TDIU) is reversed and the TDIU is restored from October 1, 1980. The Board found clear and unmistakable error in applying the wrong evidentiary standard.

The Veteran's lipomas are now rated at 30 percent from April 17, 2013 onward.,His respiratory disability is rated at 30 percent from June 11, 2012 onward.

The Board has remanded the case due to a discrepancy in military retirement benefits included as income during the annualization period. The AOJ needs to verify if the Veteran received any military retirement benefits from January 30, 2014, to prior to February 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, an initial compensable rating for headaches, and entitlement to TDIU due to failure to obtain VA examinations as scheduled in previous remands.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hip disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether his current condition was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including patello-femoral syndrome, is found to have been incurred during active service and granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for lipoma and service connection for hernia due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for spousal dependency benefits, finding that the earliest possible effective date is November 29, 2011.

The Veteran's Schnitzler syndrome is rated at a 60 percent rating, effective November 25, 2015. The claim for TDIU remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for pelvic inflammatory disease and hysterectomy residuals due to inadequate medical opinions in previous determinations.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to be recognized as the Veteran’s surviving spouse for VA death benefits due to a lack of continuous cohabitation and separation not solely caused by the Veteran.

The Appellant is not considered a surviving spouse for VA purposes and therefore, is not entitled to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), death pension, and/or accrued benefits for a surviving spouse.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gallstones and liver cysts, both of which were found to be not related to his military service at Camp Lejeune. The Board noted that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a presumption of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, premature menopause, and a skin disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his left hand condition, as well as the severity of his lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ring and long finger disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals, herniated nucleus pulposus, status post laminectomies was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew all pending disability compensation claims on appeal, including the service connection claim. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.