Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip disabilities, including his total hip replacements, may have been caused by service-connected back, right ankle, and/or left knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for plugged right subclavian vein with stents was denied as there is no evidence of negligence or malpractice in the treatment provided to the Veteran by the Minneapolis VAMC.

The Veteran's impairment of the seventh cranial nerve damage condition has been rated at 20 percent since January 29, 2010. The Board found that his condition more nearly approximates severe incomplete paralysis and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's solitary bone plasmacytoma, finding that his exposure to contaminants during service on Adak Island in Alaska is causally related to his condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with contested claim procedures and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right lower leg varicose veins due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives regarding the November 1957 rating decision. The case is returned to the RO for clarification on what evidence was relied upon in denying service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination for the Veteran's sinus cancer and residuals, as well as his exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's bilateral elbow disabilities, including epicondylitis with limitation of flexion and impairment of supination and pronation, are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left elbow disabilities due to insufficient examination findings and lack of supporting analysis in the previous decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an extraschedular TDIU from June 20, 2016 to April 23, 2019.

The Veteran's right leg peroneal nerve damage is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Restless Leg Syndrome, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or secondary to his service-connected upper airway resistance syndrome.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left or right lower extremity neurological disorders other than service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for status post total hysterectomy with history of uterine fibroids, finding that her uterine fibroids and subsequent hysterectomy began during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for aphasia, memory loss, and a left arm disability must be remanded due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion in a previous VA examination, and the Veteran needs another VA examination for his respiratory condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for additional retroactive disability benefits, finding that the calculation of the amount owed and retroactively payable was correct. The Veteran was paid for the month of August 2014 as part of the March 2015 retroactive benefits payment.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral avascular necrosis of the hips as there was no in-service injury or disease, and symptoms did not manifest within one year of service.