Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity disability, including chronic pain and neurological symptoms, is determined to be an additional disability caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, or error in judgment during his October 2016 VA treatment visit. Alternatively, the Veteran's lower extremity symptoms are found to be secondary to his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's metastatic high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma is related to his service, including presumed herbicide exposure. A new medical opinion is needed.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the Veteran's esophageal cancer and his military service.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to warrant the reopening of the previously denied claim for service connection for a brain tumor. The claim is remanded for further adjudication on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral hands is not linked to disease or injury incurred in service and has not been caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed decreased visual acuity. The AOJ must obtain an advisory opinion from a neurology expert to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities or medications could be causing or aggravating his eye conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims, including those related to service connection and discharge character.

The Veteran's right and left shin splints were granted initial evaluations of 10 percent each prior to September 20, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining outstanding non-VA treatment records related to the Veteran's eye disability.

The Board has determined that the change in the Veteran's means test eligibility category from copay exempt to Geographic Means Test copay required for income year 2016 was improper, and thus grants the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for additional evidence, including a positive nexus opinion from Dr. Ingraham.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left rotator cuff tendonitis and nerve damage of the left hand secondary to his service-connected wrist strain are being remanded due to a lack of available surgical report from November 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to cold weather during service and the relationship between his current bilateral lower extremity disorders and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vasectomy, secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder with depression and anxiety due to a lack of evidence supporting that the vasectomy was caused or aggravated by his mental health condition.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for clarification on whether additional disability was superimposed upon a congenital defect during service and if the condition increased in severity during service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's postoperative umbilical hernia, finding no objective medical evidence indicating the need for a supporting belt or that the condition was inoperable.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has requested additional records and opinions to determine if D.H. became permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18 due to a mental or physical disability, as he is the Veteran's son and considered a helpless child.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic hepatoma, but service connection for cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking the cancer to his time in active service.,The appellant does not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 because she did not have a service-connected disability rated totally disabling at any point prior to her husband's death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left hip degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension is being remanded due to unclear findings and inconsistent functional impairment.