Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity chronic swelling, as secondary to residuals of right lower extremity DVT, is granted. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of right lower extremity DVT is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of post-surgical removal of the left and right great toenails are rated at 10 percent each, effective from when the evaluations were initially assigned. The TDIU claim has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability and an extraschedular rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an adequate examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is at least as likely as not secondary to the Veteran's service-connected polymyositis.

The Board denied service connection for gastritis as the Veteran does not have a current disability of gastritis.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic respiratory condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and service or any other factor.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CML) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service, and also found that the Veteran's cause of death was related to his CML.

The Veteran's service as a cadet in the USCGA does not qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits because it is not considered active duty. The Board denied eligibility due to lack of qualifying active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded. The matter of TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the issue of an increased rating for Reiter’s syndrome, which has been remanded.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the Rapid Eye Movement behavior disorder claim, and the Board dismissed it as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's recurrent epistaxis is related to service and if it is secondary to his service-connected TBI.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Guillain-Barre syndrome was incurred in service, specifically during active duty for training (ACDUTRA), and granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for plasmacytoma, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Korea and thus denying the presumption-based claim. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish direct service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip degenerative joint disease and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, finding that there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection due to a service-connected right knee strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service foot injury and his current foot conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, as the Veteran's left eye macular hole may be related to head injuries sustained in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for esophageal and bilateral eye conditions, finding that the VA examiner’s opinions were inadequate. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Board denied N.M.'s claim to be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and death pension benefits due to a lack of legal basis.