Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient reasoning and lack of addendum medical opinions regarding service connection for essential tremors, including as a qualifying condition under 38 U.S.C. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the March 2016 remand directives and must remand the matter again for corrective action. The issues on appeal are dependent on whether the appellant satisfies the criteria of being considered the Veteran's 'child' on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18.

The Veteran's cardiac disorder, including uncontrolled angina, is related to service and secondary to his PTSD. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's exposure to various chemicals during service, including primer, paint, fiberglass, sandblasting material, fuel fire, asbestos, and contaminants. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a failure to provide proper notice of the December 2020 supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral cholesteatoma, status-post mastoidectomy and left ear hearing loss. The criteria for a compensable disability rating were not met for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for VA pension was denied, and the case has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left great toe condition is attributable to an injury sustained during his Air Force Reserve service in March 2015, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for shin splints of the right leg and left leg, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Additional evidentiary development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, as well as the need to consider new evidence. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for left ear otitis media and externa is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudophakia and cataracts of the left eye, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right bicep tear/injury, to include pain and weakness is granted. The Board found that the disability began during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of right-scapula gunshot wound are rated at 40 percent, effective June 26, 2012. The Board has remanded the issues related to his right hip disorder and cervical spine disorder.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing records and lack of verification for hazardous material exposures. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after obtaining necessary information.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral foot pain due to inadequate VA examination and unavailability of certain records. The Veteran's lay statements regarding onset of symptoms during service are considered, along with other pertinent evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of his skull-related disabilities, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the December 2003 rating decision that initially denied these claims.

The Veteran's CAD, post-surgery and angioplasty, is currently rated at 60 percent since December 9, 2019. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no objective evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy or dilation.

The Veteran's digestive system disability, manifested by constipation and diarrhea, is due to his service-connected multiple myeloma with bilateral lower extremity chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy. The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication of SMC eligibility prior to February 24, 2015.