Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board denied claims for service connection for left arm and leg disorders, finding no current disability in either upper or lower extremity. The Veteran's symptoms were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) was denied because the evidence did not show an event, disease or injury in service and there was no presumption of service connection due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's cause of death, a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, was determined to be the result of an injury during his INACDUTRA (inactive duty training) period. The Board found that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted due to the evidence being in equipoise as to whether the injury led to the rupture.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lymph node biopsy with injury to ulnar nerve, left upper extremity from September 19, 2013. The most probative evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether this condition meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including AC hypertrophy with torn rotator cuff and biceps tendinitis, was granted a 40% rating from January 22, 2013 onwards. The issue of entitlement to TDIU for that period is moot due to the concurrent grant of a 100% rating for right shoulder disability. From October 1, 2015, SMC at housebound rate was granted based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral eye disorder and its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot condition is pending.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot pain is granted due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial. The Board finds that the Veteran has shown a continuity of symptoms from active duty, including numbness in his feet, which progressed to bilateral foot pain after separation.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a right hip disorder as secondary to a left hip disability due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear diagnosis.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability has resulted in painful limitation of motion but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected scoliosis of the thoracic spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left hand disability and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show a chronic left hand disability, and his claims for bilateral eye disabilities were denied as well.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him legally blind or in a nursing home. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his residuals of cerebrovascular accident, which is not a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right inguinal hernia and associated right hydrocele prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation, but a new examination is needed to determine his current functional limitations.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's scoliosis and spondylolisthesis preexisted service and were not aggravated by service. The Board also found that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for pain to the neck and right arm, as well as PTSD. The case must be sent back to the AOJ to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and no credible continuity of symptoms since service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left toe disorder and right heel bone spur due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran's spastic colon with chronic diarrhea is rated at 30 percent, but no higher, due to symptoms of alternating diarrhea and constipation, and constant abdominal distress.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported symptoms of fatigue, weakness, generalized myalgias, and urinary symptoms are not related to his service or a service-connected condition.