Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Veteran's pancreatic cancer is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure, and his cause of death is also found to be related to service. The DIC claim is dismissed as the other benefits are granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection issues were addressed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as she is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The Veteran's step-daughter, L.L., was not shown to have been permanently incapable of self-support prior to reaching age 18. The Board denied the claim for additional dependency compensation.

The Board has remanded the case to reconsider the claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a March 2010 rating decision that assigned an effective date of December 1, 2009 for an award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the current opinions are inadequate and requires another examination to determine if the Veteran's side effects from Simvastin are related to his service-connected PTSD and/or age, or if they were caused by VA carelessness.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition, specifically left axillary lipoma. However, the Veteran's duodenal ulcer condition was granted an increased rating to 60 percent effective July 29, 2011.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and distal esophagitis are being remanded for a new examination to assess current severity. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered to be of such severity as to preclude employment, and TDIU is granted effective May 1, 2012.

The Board has previously denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date of November 28, 2011. The case is being remanded again due to failure to obtain documents from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding when the appellant became entitled to survivor/widow benefits.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for prostate and urinary disorders. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot hallux valgus and left foot hallux valgus due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions. A new etiology opinion is needed to address both direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left foot hallux valgus with arthritis, right foot arthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate examination reports and opinions. The Veteran needs a new examination and addendum opinion for his foot disabilities, and an addendum medical advisory opinion regarding his OSA.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes cavus and hammer toe deformities, which render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic joint pain of the fingers and toes is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a musculoskeletal examination and an opinion on whether his symptoms are related to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's encephalitis residuals, to include headaches, are rated at 50 percent since March 23, 2020.,A higher rating is not warranted as the symptoms of the Veteran's service-connected migraines have been considered in the current 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right lower extremity neurological disorder. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records and preparing an addendum by another examiner.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shin splints may have aggravated her idiopathic scoliosis, and thus remands for an addendum opinion to address this issue.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's stroke is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was caused by his service, including exposure to Agent Orange, and if it is related to his service-connected coronary artery disease.