Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the claim was resolved in favor of the appellant by VHA, who reversed its previous decision and approved payment for medical expenses provided by THC from October 1 to October 15, 2019.

The Veteran's unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder warrants a rating of 10 percent, but no higher, throughout from October 4, 2019.

The Board has determined that the appellant is receiving compensation for her spouse's service-connected cause of death, which constitutes a greater benefit than the nonservice-connected death pension. Therefore, the appeal for nonservice-connected death pension is denied.

The Veteran's fractured jaw disability has resulted in a maximum unassisted vertical opening of 0 to 10 mm, warranting an initial rating of 40 percent. The appeal is granted for the period prior to November 20, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's attributable household income for 2017 exceeded the VA National Means Test threshold, and thus he is not eligible for copay-free healthcare in 2017.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for entitlement to MGIB education benefits before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma related disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The other issues are not addressed as they were remanded.

The Veteran's income for 2016 was above the VA means test threshold, and thus he is not eligible for copay-free healthcare in that year.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right arm disability and dental disorder due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran's claim for a right arm disability is recharacterized as seeking service connection for ulnar neuropathy, while his claim for a dental disorder remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected left elbow disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the examination report. The issues of service connection for other disabilities are also before the Board but must be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's lupus-like autoimmune disease is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from Dr. Cvetkovic from 2013 to the present date.

The appeal regarding pension is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant's authorized representative prior to the decision being made.

The Board has restored the 10 percent ratings for limitation of left hip extension, flexion, and abduction based on thorough examinations showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left femoral neck stress fracture, finding that his condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and special monthly compensation was granted.,Special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is effective from February 28, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his service-connected left and right hallux valgus with a history of hallux rigidus, finding that the symptoms did not reach the severity equivalent to amputation of great toe or require surgery.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for restless leg syndrome of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, heart valve replacement, and ascending aortic aneurysm, is granted as secondary to his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a prostate condition due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The VA examiner found no evidence linking the current prostate condition to service or exposure, but noted the Veteran's presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.