Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, including as due to asbestos exposure. The RO is instructed to obtain updated employment information and verify any in-service asbestos exposure. A VA examination must be scheduled to determine if any diagnosed heart disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests an advisory opinion from an independent medical expert. The Veteran's heart condition, including hypertrophy and mild enlargement, is being evaluated for its relationship to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary condition due to asbestos exposure is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma with scarring due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The VA is required to obtain a new opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service, including his use of immunosuppressive therapy or exposure to ultraviolet light while on active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's right hand thumb degenerative joint disease (DJD) status post fracture is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of January 1, 2017 for Special Restorative Training (SRT) benefits. The decision states that the counselor approved the course on January 1, 2017, which is later than when the appellant began school.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a right hand wound, Muscle Group IX impairment is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether he has a penetrating muscle injury.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right hand wound disability is also being remanded. The Board cannot reconcile contradictory findings between two VA examinations regarding this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete compliance with contested claim procedures. The Veteran and C.L. need to be provided with A.G.'s VA Form 9, which was submitted in November 2019.

The Veteran's claim for additional VA disability compensation benefits for his spouse D.M. was denied because he failed to provide the necessary documentation to confirm their common law marriage, despite being rated as 30 percent disabled prior to August 11, 2017.

The Board has determined that the validity of the debt and the Veteran's status as a fugitive felon need to be further investigated before making a decision on the overpayment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, specifically regarding service connection for a testicle condition and rating of PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a broken nose disorder as there was no evidence of current functional impairment and the examiner found it less likely than not that the condition is related to the in-service injury.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a nutritional deficiency disability and testicular disability need further review due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is being remanded for additional VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his service-connected digestive system condition and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for further development, including new examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's brain cancer, finding that his exposure to burn pits during military service is at least as likely as not related to his condition.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeals for service connection for bilateral shin splints, service connection for bilateral cornea abrasions, and entitlement to a higher (compensable) initial rating for the bilateral hallux valgus from November 3, 2015. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities, including as due to herbicide exposure. The VA will obtain a medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability is etiologically related to his service, granting service connection for this condition.