Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right little finger disability, which is rated under Diagnostic Code 5156. The decision finds that the impairment of the Veteran’s right 5th finger disability best approximates amputation without metacarpal resection.

The Board denied service connection for discoid lupus, finding that the current disability is not related to any in-service skin conditions and concluding that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's active military service and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of cancer of the larynx was denied. The TDIU claim is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically a need for a hematologist's opinion regarding service connection for ITP.

The Board has granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his active duty is presumed to have caused his condition. The decision also resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as dermatitis. The claim is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a urinary tract condition. The Veteran's urinary tract condition, manifested by urinary retention, is found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left testicular disability and cancer due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to service, including exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by both parties and requires a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) for further consideration.

The Veteran's cause of death (sepsis, blast crisis leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia) was not found to be related to service or exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for survivors' pension benefits was denied due to the Appellant's income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and incomplete financial information. The Veteran's SSA income needs to be verified, and both parties need to provide their current financial status.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a skin disability and hair loss due to incomplete records and inadequate rationale in previous decisions.

The Veteran died from cardiopulmonary failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits is denied as the Veteran was not in receipt of VA compensation or pension at the time of his death and did not meet any other criteria for payment.

The Board has remanded the cases of lower back, left shoulder, and left knee conditions due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues intertwined with other claims, specifically regarding the October 2019 rating decision for service connection of lower extremity neurological disabilities. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered once these issues are resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's recurrent ear disability and ear infection residuals, including their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neurological conditions and their etiology. The VA needs to clarify these diagnoses and provide a new opinion on whether the conditions are related to service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran withdrew their appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has varicose veins in his right lower extremity. The decision is pending further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred at Meadville Medical Center on July 3, 2017 was timely filed and the Board has decided in favor of the Veteran.