Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA opinion regarding asbestos exposure and its relation to the Veteran's cause of death. The Appellant is asked to provide any additional private treatment records, including those reviewed by the September 2019 private physician.

The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The claimant's contentions were found insufficient to establish a relationship with service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence since the December 2011 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's pinguecula and whether it was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper notification and development, including providing the Veteran with a copy of the November 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's aortic insufficiency and its relationship to his military service. The VA needs to obtain updated treatment records and provide an opinion on when the condition first manifested, whether it is congenital or related to pre-existing conditions, and if it was aggravated by any periods of active duty.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied because he failed to provide requested information regarding his income and medical expenses, making it impossible for the Board to determine his entitlement to the benefit.

The Board denied DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no disability incurred or aggravated by service caused or contributed to his death. The appellant claimed exposure to herbicides and alcohol use related to PTSD as potential causes, but VA examiners found these not likely to have caused the pancreatic cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Appellant must be given an opportunity to respond before the claim is returned to the Board.

The Board denied service connection for systemic mastocytosis, finding no direct or secondary relationship to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with postoperative residuals of heart surgery. The condition was not related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The Board has denied service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis due to a lack of current diagnosis.,Service connection for allergies and respiratory disability (including asthma and breathing problems) is remanded as there are issues regarding the exposure basis, service connection theory, and need for an adequate etiology opinion.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of an overpayment in the amount of $1,540.20 for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) benefits was denied because it was not filed within 180 days after the notification of indebtedness.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have additional residuals of a CVA not contemplated by the currently assigned minimum schedular rating or his separately service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 9, 2012 for right femoral stress fracture residuals with right hip bursitis and arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent as of August 9, 2012 for right femoral stress fracture residuals with right hip bursitis and arthritis is also denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and Grave's disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether exposure to chemicals and/or toxic fumes in service, including those used to remove lead paint, caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. The appellant must provide additional medical opinions on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for perforated left tympanic membrane and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for perforated right ear drum are remanded due to the need for further examination and review of medical records.

The Veteran's gall bladder condition (gallstones) is granted as aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The claim for a higher evaluation for scars, right lower anterior chest, is dismissed.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA improved death pension benefits and his status as a helpless child of the Veteran due to lack of evidence showing he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18.

The Veteran's right hip replacement and L5/S1 spinal fusion with IVDS are currently rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The compression fracture of the 12th dorsal vertebral body is not compensable.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your case.