Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chalazion of the left eye, finding that it was caused by his service-connected retinal detachment, bilateral, visual field loss.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic recurrent vaginitis has been rated at 10 percent since May 27, 2008. The Board found that the condition required continuous treatment but was controlled by such treatment, thus not warranting an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code due to the Universidad de Granada in Spain not being an approved educational institution by VA.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining medical records and determining reimbursable costs.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for collagenous colitis with recurrent diarrhea. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA medical opinion to determine if his condition had its onset in service or is related to his service.

The Veteran's hyperhidrosis, a qualifying chronic disability for the Persian Gulf War presumption, is granted as service connected.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for TDIU, SMC based on aid and attendance, and SMP due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for service-connected gout of the right and left great toes, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximate severely incapacitating exacerbations four or more times per year.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disabilities, including hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), to include as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's obesity is identified as a primary risk factor for her cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disabilities. The VA examiners did not address the link between PTSD medication and obesity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's prostate disorder is related to his service, including any in-service exposure to tactical herbicide agents. The Veteran was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate in 2000 and had symptoms prior to 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for emphysema, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's respiratory disability was related to his in-service exposure. The decision also notes that the benefit of doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left leg pain and spasms are not service-connected as they were not caused by VA treatment, but rather an underlying neurological disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a spine/back disability, finding that his Bertolotti's syndrome is a congenital defect and not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder of the scalp, finding that it had its onset during active duty service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's emergency treatment for right flank pain, abdominal pain, and nausea at DeSoto Memorial Hospital on August 7, 2015 is approved. The treatment was deemed necessary due to the severity of his symptoms and the lack of availability of a VA facility within a reasonable time frame.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left heel spur condition, finding that it began in service and has continued since then.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral elbow disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions and consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension benefits from February 1, 2016 was denied because he failed to provide the necessary financial information.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome due to insufficient VA medical opinions. The Veteran's surviving spouse is requesting additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA) as they may contain relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by Agent Orange exposure and if any pre-existing conditions contributed to his death. The DIC benefits claim is also remanded.