Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Veteran's chronic inflammation of the nerve root, upper right extremity is currently rated at 50 percent. For his upper left extremity, he received a 40 percent rating from July 1, 2015 onwards. The Board has remanded all issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's prostate disability, including chronic prostatitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as he does not have a current diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 5, 2015. Therefore, the claim for a TDIU prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant before a decision could be made.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as claims do not survive their deaths.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of mesothelioma, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for cataracts, diverticulitis, enlarged prostate, and urinary tract infections are remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for status-post tonsillectomy and service connection for mild bilateral blepharitis, status-post corneal refractive surgery (bilateral eye disability) due to incomplete VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for dementia and a lung disorder due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records and private medical records from Drs. M. and B.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's eye disabilities. The earlier effective date claim for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ and housebound status is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, finding no current diagnosis of IHD and insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's atrial fibrillation to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 28, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent since August 1, 2016.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his service-connected right knee and spine disabilities.

The Veteran's eye condition is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is related to her service, specifically exposure to fiberglass.

The Veteran's service-connected impaired sphincter control is rated at 60 percent, effective March 15, 2021. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU as of June 17, 2008.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's bilateral eye disability, finding that his symptoms are adequately encompassed by the existing rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to refer the matter to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip disability alone did not render him unemployable prior to November 2, 2019. However, from November 2, 2019 to January 22, 2020, the Board found that his combined service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as claims do not survive their deaths.

The Board has decided that an additional medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's hammer toe was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.