Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's spinal degenerative disease.

The Board denied service connection for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the left lower extremity, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy and TDIU based on lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes. The right knee disability claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of the July 2021 addendum opinion regarding his service-connected gastritis and duodenitis symptoms. The clinician should provide guidance on distinguishing between symptoms related to his service-connected conditions and those that are not.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to assess the current severity of his right ankle disability, including range of motion and any flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical examination regarding the Veteran's left side pain and its relation to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for cold urticaria from October 1, 2008 to October 5, 2018 was denied as the evidence did not show at least four recurrent episodes in a 12-month period or chronic urticaria requiring first-line treatment. A higher rating of 30 percent thereafter was also denied due to lack of second-line treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of claims for service connection for residuals of electrocution to the left arm, including muscle spasms, numbness, muscle pain, and trouble with walking.

The Veteran's peritoneal mesothelioma is related to in-service asbestos exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his education, work history, and training are sufficient to allow for such employment.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the July 2021 VA examination. The examiner is asked to address whether the Veteran's benign heart murmur was a disease or defect, if it was aggravated by her active duty service, and if any superimposed disabilities were due to the heart murmur. Additionally, the examiner must provide opinions on direct service connection for all diagnosed heart disorders, as well as whether any heart disorder was caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right eye disorders are not related to his military service, as they were likely caused by natural aging processes and exposure to UV radiation from welding without protection. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to consider the merits of the case.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's skin disability, including whether it was caused by his service in Vietnam and any previous treatment. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for breast cancer and bilateral eye disorder due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Specifically, a VA examiner is needed to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's breast cancer is related to her in-service exposure to chemicals without protective gear during photography development.

The Veteran's estate is granted additional specially adapted housing benefits, not to exceed $63,780, which covers the costs of making his home handicap accessible. The remaining amount will be reimbursed to the Appellant for expenses incurred prior to the approval of the grant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of malaria as there is no evidence of a current disability and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran had malaria during or after his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one needs to be scheduled for a VA examiner to address the Veteran's statements about his slow-growing cyst.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the validity of the overpayment of VA pension benefits in the amount of $37,692.00.

The Veteran's appeal to increase his rating for Service-Connected Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal before a decision was made.