Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is denied as there is no evidence of an independent sleep disorder during or within one year after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for muscle and joint pain and bone mass loss, finding that there was no evidence of onset during or within one year after service, nor any link to service. The Veteran's arthritis is not considered related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals of the service connection claims for colon cancer and rectal tumor have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service. The Board also denied a temporary total rating (TTR) for post-surgical convalescence or hospitalization due to cancer of the throat and tongue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing documents regarding when P. elected to receive DEA benefits, as this is crucial for determining eligibility.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need for further clarification on which muscle groups are involved with the gunshot wound. The Veteran's representative also requested a left knee exam, but that matter is not currently in appellate status.

The appeal regarding the effective date for a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities has been dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking the cause of death (metastatic rectal cancer) to service-connected disabilities or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence showing the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities and did not refer it for extraschedular consideration. The case is now referred back to VA's Director of Compensation Service for further review.

The Board has restored the Veteran's entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, effective January 1, 2019.

The Veteran's loss of use of a creative organ, claimed as sterility secondary to service-connected epididymitis, is granted. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's honorable service in the United States Navy does not meet the minimum active duty requirement for VA home loan guaranty benefits, as his discharge was based on homosexual conduct rather than a preexisting medical condition or other designated physical or mental condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for arthritis of major joints, including his service-connected right elbow, right shoulder, cervical spine, and degenerative spine disabilities. The case is being returned due to a lack of substantial compliance with the June 2020 Board remand directives regarding radiation exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot numbness as the Veteran's symptoms are part of his service-connected bilateral calcaneal bursitis with heel spurs.

The Veteran's surviving spouse did not incur any expenses for the Veteran's burial, and therefore, the claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of second metatarsal fracture of the left foot.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an apportionment of the Veteran’s VA disability compensation benefits on behalf of their son, M.R.C., finding that the Veteran reasonably discharged his responsibility for supporting the child and that any apportionment would cause undue financial hardship to the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a rating higher than 10 percent for multiple sebaceous cysts and entitlement to service connection for dental extractions for compensation purposes due to incomplete development.

The Board has granted service connection for leukoplakia, but dismissed the claims for drusen, pigmented choroidal nevus, diverticulosis, and seborrheic keratosis with sebaceous cyst.