Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has granted additional dependency compensation for the Veteran's adult child, R., based on her full-time school attendance from June 2015 to June 2019.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that neither a service-connected disability nor any other disease or disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The most probative evidence showed that the service-connected right upper extremity amputation did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records and a need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's colon cancer is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bladder cancer.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent effective from August 16, 2018. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, specifically macular degeneration and dry eyes, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disability, finding that the evidence did not support the Veteran's claim of an in-service injury. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for an ear drum disability.

The Veteran's intra-abdominal adhesions and retained shrapnel fragments in abdominal musculature are currently rated at 10 percent, with a separate rating of 10 percent for muscle injuries to Muscle Group XIX. The appeal is granted for the separate rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right index finger injury. The claim will be reviewed with a new examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for decompression sickness (DCS) type II/AGE/lung disability, finding that there is no current disability during the appeal period.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date of February 1, 2008 for the award of increased compensation based on J.M.'s status as the Veteran's dependent spouse. The decision found that VA did not receive notice of the marriage prior to January 2008.

The Board denied a separate compensable disability rating for the residuals of cataracts, finding that the Veteran's visual acuity is noncompensable and appropriately rated as part of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has vacated the December 2020 decision denying service connection for B-cell leukemia, as the Veteran was not properly made aware of the opportunity for a new hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's pheochromocytoma and its relation to herbicide exposure during service. The case is now pending for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's right thumb, index finger, and long finger contusions with limitation of motion have been rated at the maximum schedular rating (10%) for each condition. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as his conditions do not meet the criteria for ankylosis or other specific diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's aneurysm and his military service. The case will be returned for further examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability, diagnosed as subtalar arthritis, is not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service causation or aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, finding it likely related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The decision is based on a private physician's opinion that supports the presumption of exposure and establishes a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board found that the Appellant's discharge was due to willful and persistent misconduct, leading to a denial of VA benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a lack of evidence showing that his hemorrhagic cerebral infarction was caused by VA medical care, specifically their failure to timely diagnose and/or properly treat hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ichthyosis, finding no current diagnosis of a skin condition and concluding that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his military service.