Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for residuals of syphilis, other than disability of the eyes, and also denied a TDIU due to lack of evidence showing unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which the Board found not related to service or herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin and fungal rash, finding that there was no evidence to show that this condition began in or was aggravated by his service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD) of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to incomplete records, conflicting medical opinions, and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for blepharitis and dry eyes is granted. The claims for bladder and urinary tract disorder and skin disorder are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder due to inadequate medical opinion regarding preexisting condition.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is being remanded for a thorough analysis of the condition throughout the period on appeal, including what level of amputation would have been best served at the time of the June 2019 examination and any periods of improvement or regression.

The Veteran's liver disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service or caused by the service-connected conditions of IBS and GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple lipomas, finding no evidence linking his condition to his military service or exposure to herbicidal agents.

The Board has denied service connection for memory loss, sleep, and fatigue disorders as the evidence does not show current diagnoses of these conditions separate from service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's recurrent eating disability.

The Veteran's right Achilles tendon rupture claim has been resolved, and the Board is remanding his claim for a separate rating for right lower extremity neurologic impairment as secondary to service-connected right Achilles tendon rupture disability.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to dysphagia, cerebral vascular accident, and dementia. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability. Additionally, the appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a special monthly survivor's pension.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA care causing left side facial paralysis is remanded for further development, including obtaining records from the non-VA oral surgeon and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's left lower extremity lymphedema and lymphedema of the testicles. The Veteran testified that his conditions have worsened, but VA examinations during the appeal period did not reflect this.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a mouth injury, including dental trauma, finding no evidence of a currently diagnosed dental disability that meets VA compensation criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory condition as due to exposure to particulate matter during the Veteran's active-duty service, finding that the condition manifested within 10 years of separation from service and is associated with such exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development regarding whether the Veteran is entitled to a separate evaluation for loss of vocal articulation and/or other impairments related to his service-connected dental disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 25, 2015, due to VA's failure to notify him of his SSA records' unavailability. The Veteran is given an opportunity to provide any information he has in his possession regarding his claim for disability benefits from the SSA.