Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for aplastic anemia was denied, and the Board found that it was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to December 18, 2018, that his condition had increased in severity.

Your claims for special monthly compensation for loss of use of the lower extremities and financial assistance for automobile and adaptive equipment have been dismissed as your benefits are already in effect.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has found that there is not substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and thus requires further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to address the Veteran's skin disability of the neck.

The Veteran's chronic skin disability, diagnosed as chronic urticaria, is found to be related to his active military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial higher staged ratings of 10 percent for right elbow dislocation and 30 percent for impairment of supination/pronation of the forearm were granted effective November 14, 2019.

The Board has determined that central hypogonadism had its onset during active duty service and granted the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to his head and neck cancer, which is considered a respiratory cancer associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for TMJ and a separate rating for left leg shin splints was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as the functional loss due to pain did not result in significant limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the Veteran's multiple myeloma under VA rating criteria and consideration of the April 7, 2016 laboratory test findings indicating a recurrence of the condition.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for loss of use of both feet and SMC based on loss of use of both feet.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected aortic valve replacement secondary to subacute bacterial endocarditis and for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The remand is necessary because the January 2016 VA examination was inadequate, and further development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a gynecological disability, including dysmenorrhea, finding that the Veteran's current condition was a result of her pre-existing gynecological disability and surgery performed during service. The Board concluded that there was no evidence to show that the pre-existing condition had been aggravated by service.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability involving a damaged artery in the Veteran's right leg following February 2003 VA surgery, concluding that no additional disability resulted from the procedure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right elbow disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating based on limitation of flexion or extension.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for colon cancer, including as due to asbestos exposure, due to insufficient reasoning in the original decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of arthritis in service or within one year following discharge. The medical opinions provided by VA did not establish a link between the current condition and service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant had accepted a compromise settlement of $25,000 to settle her overpayment debt of $172,585. The debt was fully resolved and there were no remaining claims for review.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for eye disabilities and loss of use of a creative organ, both claimed as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records from the Massachusetts Ear and Eye Infirmaries and any other relevant facilities. He also needs to undergo an examination to determine if he has any eye disability related to service or any incident of service, including presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.