Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his left navicular joint fracture with arthritis was denied. The VA determined that the current evaluation (10%) is appropriate given the range of motion findings and lack of ankylosis.

The Veteran's dry eye with a history of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is remanded for further examination to determine its impact on his bilateral senescent cataracts and whether new symptoms are related to active service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's death was due to hospice care provided by VA, which qualifies for nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left hand disabilities, including ulnar neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision also includes a remand for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral high irregular corneal astigmatism as residuals of keratoconus was denied, and his service connection claim for prostate cancer was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in the current 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's aortic insufficiency had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sterility, finding that there is no current diagnosis of sterility in the medical records and thus not meeting one of the essential criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of throat cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hernia disorder and TDIU due to a lack of sufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's abdominal disorder (diastasis recti) and his in-service motor vehicle accident. The cases are now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition, including chronic congestion, cough, and sinus issues. The Veteran's STRs show complaints of similar symptoms during service.

The Veteran's net worth exceeded the $130,733.00 limit for VA non-service-connected disability pension benefits due to a transfer of assets during the look-back period.

The Board has determined that the decision or decisions on appeal, relevant medical records, and correspondence between the appellant and VHA are missing. The case is being remanded to obtain these documents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for payment of dental services provided on November 21, 2018 and December 18, 2018 because there was no prior authorization from VA for non-VA treatment during those dates.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for VA survivor's benefits, burial allowance, plot or internment allowance, and burial transportation reimbursement due to a lack of complete service personnel records.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to payment for non-VA medical services performed on October 13, 2019 and subsequent dates due to lack of a decision by VA.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for TDIU, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of bilateral hip replacements due to arthritis, as secondary to runner stress cracks, because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request, and the Board is dismissing it.

The Veteran's spouse has not provided evidence of a child born prior to their marriage, which is required for dependency and indemnity compensation and death pension benefits. The Board finds that there was no pending claim at the time of the Veteran's death regarding these issues.