Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board denied the appellant's claims for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse and for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no valid marriage between the appellant and the Veteran at the time of his death. The claim for accrued benefits was also denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an expert medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's genitourinary disorder is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral lower extremity pain, numbness, and tingling disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding service treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer will be reviewed again with a new opinion from an oncologist.

The Veteran is seeking a refund of his contributions to the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32. The RO denied the request, finding that the Veteran had already been refunded his remaining contributions to VEAP. The Board finds that additional documentation is needed and remands for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disorder, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected PTSD and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to an incomplete response from the Veteran regarding his application. The Veteran was previously informed of this requirement, but did not respond.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it is moot due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue, finding that it is not a respiratory cancer and thus not covered by presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand both claims for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees due to additional VA medical evidence being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the cases due to concerns about the duty to assist and the adequacy of the reasons and bases for the decision. Specifically, a new VA examination is required to address functional loss caused by flare-ups or repetitive use over time.

The Board denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma due to a lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the symptoms were not chronic or manifested within one year post-service.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition affecting the torso, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for neurological symptoms of the hands and fingers, finding no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, specifically his January 1976 stomach surgery.

The Board denied service connection for benign neck neuroma and malignant schwannoma (brain tumor) claimed as due to exposure to ionizing radiation, finding insufficient evidence to support the claims.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is at least as likely as not related to his in-service traumatic stressors, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of the appellant's argument regarding Agent Orange exposure and its potential link to the Veteran’s glioblastoma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions in a previous VA examination. The Veteran will need new examinations and records to determine if his disabilities are related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's death did not result in any accrued benefits being due to the appellant, as he was not entitled to any VA benefits at the time of his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current skin condition to his active service or in-service asbestos exposure.