Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities caused his obesity, which was a substantial factor in causing his cardiomyopathy. Therefore, secondary service connection for cardiomyopathy is granted.

The Veteran's CVA residuals are granted as secondary to his service-connected CAD. The issue of service connection for AF is remanded due to its interrelation with the CAD issue.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals, including the one in this case. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the additional disability of reduced left eye visual acuity, finding that it was not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, or error in judgment on the part of VA health care providers.

The Board denied the appeal as the Appellant's character of discharge from service constitutes a bar to VA benefits, other than health care under Chapter 17. The evidence showed multiple instances of willful and persistent misconduct during his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected condition contributed to it.

The Veteran's Nightmare Disorder is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically the incident where he was prescribed pain pills by a dentist after being directed to complete a drug program. As such, the claim for service connection for Nightmare Disorder is granted.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue and vallecula is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound criteria, and loss of use of a creative organ due to the appellant opting into the modernized review system.

The Board has denied service connection for cold weather injury residuals affecting the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremities due to a lack of diagnosed conditions related to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's nerve damage of the upper back and chest wall stiffness/pain conditions have been granted service connection. A 10 percent rating has been assigned for left basilar lung scarring since November 17, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability and for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded because of inadequate development, including obtaining SSA medical records and employment verification.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine condition, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records, specifically a vocal cord injection record that was scanned into VistA Imaging. The Veteran is asked to provide names and addresses of medical providers who have treated him for his claimed disability, as well as updated VA treatment records from October 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for a right eye strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left eye retinal detachment. The reduction from a 30 percent to a 20 percent initial disability rating for his left eye condition was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral heel spurs, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in service and there is no causal relationship between his in-service complaints and his current heel spurs.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the appellant's claim was processed and paid, making the issue moot.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a carcinoma in situ at the right base of the tongue, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for dependency benefits for his spouse, S.C., finding that he did not submit proof of dependents within one year from notification of such action.

The Board has decided that the appeal is not entirely moot and requires further review of the evidence before it, including original claims and relevant medical records. The case is being remanded to the AOJ for this purpose.