Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) on a substitute claim basis and also determined that the Veteran's death was due to his military service, including exposure to hazardous chemicals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pleomorphic adenomas, parotid hematomas and increased ratings for lumbar strain and shin splints in the left lower extremity due to inadequate medical examination records and failure to obtain private treatment records.

The Veteran's chronic respiratory disorder, diagnosed as asthma, was not incurred in service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a direct link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip abductor complex internal derangement, left hip limitation of extension, and left thigh impairment were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim as the Veteran’s surviving spouse for the purpose of establishing basic eligibility for VA death benefits, finding that her separation from the Veteran was due to his misconduct without fault on her part.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hypertension, bilateral varicose veins, left thigh disability, and gastrointestinal disability (gastric ulcer). The issues of entitlement to non-service-connected pension benefits and elevated cholesterol have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VA apportioned benefits was not properly created due to a failure by the RO to terminate the award upon the Appellant's divorce, finding it solely due to administrative error. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to colon cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right eye disorder is related to service. The examiner will need to provide an opinion on whether any current right eye disability is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by service, including post-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed anemia. The examiner only relied on January 2021 laboratory testing, while VA treatment records indicate that the Veteran had anemia during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hysterectomy, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between her condition and her active service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bruxism as it is not a recognized disability for compensation purposes and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding functional impairment during flare-ups and the need to distinguish between symptoms related to service-connected right second toe hammertoe and metatarsalgia.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing, special home adaptation, or SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's spine condition/injury and sternoclavicular joint disability, finding no in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a head injury claim.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder of the feet, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to service or any other factor.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding recognizing H.K. as a dependent based on permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18, finding that the issue is moot because the benefit sought has already been granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for joint pain, muscle pain, sleep disturbance, weight loss, and a back condition. The right foot issue is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions in a previous VA examination. The examiner is required to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether clival chordoma had its onset during any of the Veteran's periods of active service, including from May 1963 to November 1966, June 1982 to December 1982, or February 2003 to December 2003.