Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip and thigh disability, including his left hip replacement, myositis ossificans in the left thigh, finding that it is related to his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities have been rated based on their functional limitations, with the highest ratings granted for flexion and extension issues. The appeal is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left thigh hematoma, finding that the condition only exhibited painful motion and did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied DIC benefits as the appellant was not married to the Veteran for at least one year prior to his death, and thus is not eligible as a surviving spouse.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of whether the Appellant can receive benefits withheld from A.'s retroactive special monthly pension award due to pending competency status and fiduciary appointment.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA's failure to diagnose and treat hydrocephalus is remanded for further development, including obtaining MRI images from the Richmond VA Medical Center and the Medical College of Virginia.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and directed further development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a circulatory disability of the arms and legs, which is secondary to exposure to herbicide agents, will be reconsidered.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the January 2020 remand directives and has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's colon cancer is related to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sebaceous cyst on his back is granted. However, the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiomegaly and other foot disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypogonadism and infertility due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The case will be returned to the VA Regional Office for additional examination, opinion, and determination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected mood disorder NOS. The issues of entitlement to higher initial rating and TDIU prior to October 9, 2013 are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acute myeloid leukemia was caused by his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The cause of death case is also being remanded.

The appeal for service connection of a pulmonary emboli, due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, is dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the ulcerative colitis was caused or aggravated by the PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claim for a right hip disorder and residuals of a right hip dislocation due to inadequate development. A new examination is required to address the Veteran's history of hip complaints in service, including an MRI recommendation and current subchondral cystic change at the superior margin of the acetabulum on the right.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his in-service asbestos exposure. The Board also found that the overpayment of VA pension benefits was properly created due to unreported income from Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the claims for dementia and lung disorder due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records from before the Veteran's death in January 2018. The appellant is asked to provide authorization for private treatment records from Dr M. and Dr B.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for lymphedema and TDIU. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered, along with any service-connected conditions, in determining whether his lymphedema is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for membranous glomerulonephritis with osteopenia and dyslipidemia was denied, as his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Board found that his symptoms were consistent with the current 60 percent rating. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for multiple soft tissue sarcoma.