Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) as there is no current diagnosis of recurrent UTIs and the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria for recurrent UTIs.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an in-person VA examination and requests for updated treatment records. The Veteran's right testicle injury is being evaluated again.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's muscle and joint pain is being reviewed again for service connection, including consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of any impairment of sphincter control and whether it is caused by or aggravated by service-connected prostate residuals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for urinary incontinence was denied as there is no nexus between the condition and his active duty service. The Board found that the current diagnosis of urinary incontinence did not begin during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of a clear nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's dermatophytosis. The examiner failed to consider the Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms and inability to afford treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for leukemia, finding that it was not incurred in or a result of his active-duty service and did not manifest within one year of such service. The evidence also did not support the inference that the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's appeal for vocational rehabilitation services under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code was dismissed as he has already received the benefits sought.

The Veteran's malignant skin neoplasms (skin cancer) are at least as likely as not related to his military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left hip disability, including leg length discrepancy, is rated at 70 percent effective May 1, 2013.

The Veteran's soft tissue sarcoma (GIST tumor) is granted as due to herbicide exposure, and his right fibula disability is granted a 20% rating from December 24, 2014.

The Veteran is granted additional VR&E benefits, including an extension in the duration of a program beyond 48 months to complete his training and achieve suitable employment.

The Board granted an effective date of August 19, 2015 for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The decision is based on evidence that was added to the file after a prior denial in May 2012.

The Board has granted recognition of the appellant as the Veteran's surviving spouse, allowing her to receive death pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to treatment of a service-connected hernia was denied as the condition is not service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected onychomycosis is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable VA rating criteria. The condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has not resulted in disfigurement of the head, face, or neck; scars as the predominant disability; more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or constant or near-constant systemic therapy during the past 12-month period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his residuals of bunionectomy of the right foot was granted, with a rating of 10 percent effective November 8, 2000. The decision also remanded other issues related to this condition.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal due to the belief that a supplemental claim is more appropriate, and the Board dismissed the appeal accordingly.

The Veteran's brother, who was recognized as the substitute claimant after the Veteran's death, is seeking an increased rate of VA pension benefits. The RO confirmed and continued entitlement to special monthly pension (SMP) with aid and attendance for accrued purposes but the appellant did not have adequate notice of the evidence necessary to support the claim.