Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Veteran's insomnia and sleep disturbances associated with speech changes due to Parkinson’s disease are rated at 30 percent effective March 27, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service department records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the appellant's mental health during service. The case will be reviewed again after these issues are addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition secondary to his service-connected pulmonary emboli with sleep apnea and sarcoidosis, finding no nexus between the skin condition and his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain another supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's BPH with associated polyuria, which he alleges are secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. The focus is on whether the Veteran's service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus is aggravating his BPH, itself, not the polyuria associated with the BPH.

The Veteran's otitis media disability is rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines, and there are no additional factors that would warrant an extra-schedular rating. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's prostate condition is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hemorrhoid condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lung disorder and skin condition due to herbicide exposure because additional development is necessary. The Veteran's private treatment records from Dr. Bergere after July 2011 need to be obtained, and a medical opinion is needed regarding the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue regarding the timing of the appellant's claim for accrued benefits. The RO must now determine if the appellant’s claim may be deemed filed prior to his mother's death and whether there were any accrued benefits payable to the Veteran's surviving spouse.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to DIC compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 because there is no evidence that VA's care, treatment, or examination caused the Veteran’s death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient examinations and incomplete information.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for a TDIU prior to February 26, 2020. The Board dismissed the appeal as per the Veteran's request.

The Board has decided that the complete file for the claim of entitlement to payment or reimbursement for ambulance services on October 9, 2014 cannot be located and some documentation is missing. The case must be remanded for the AOJ to reconstruct the record and upload all relevant documents.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of compliance with previous requests for additional development. The Veteran's blepharospasm is being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection claim is being decided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The appeal is not about service connection but rather about determining if these conditions were contributory causes of death.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left foot disability and its relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for pain in his left foot, which he claims occurred during service when he injured his ankle playing basketball. He also asserts that the pain may be secondary to his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for right great toe condition and right leg condition due to outstanding service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's appeal is pending further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot condition, including osteoarthritis and hallux valgus. However, it denied service connection for his left foot condition.

The Board found that the retroactive reduction in compensation benefits due to the Veteran's felony conviction was valid, resulting in an overpayment of $31,216.87. The appeal is denied.