Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of gonorrhea, left varicocele, and bilateral peripheral arterial insufficiency were denied. The right hand disability and left hand disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's respiratory disability is denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or a relationship to service.,Service connection for the Veteran's memory loss issue is also denied. The VA psychologist found inconsistencies and noted that the observed impairments did not seem consistent with a specific type of dementia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder (loss of tooth #15) for compensation purposes is denied. However, the Veteran is granted service connection for a dental disorder (loss of tooth #15) for treatment purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure by the AOJ to obtain medical records from Scripps Hospital in Chula Vista, California. The appellant is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records and any new opinion on the cause of death is needed if obtained.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically dysthymic disorder, is granted service connection. However, the claim for bruxism secondary to a now service-connected psychiatric disability remains pending and needs further action.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis is rated at 60 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to lack of pronounced symptoms such as malnutrition or serious complications.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hand disabilities due to cold injuries, as they are related to his active service. The case is sent back for further development including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has found the January 2020 VA examination inadequate due to lack of evaluation for muscle spasms and guarding, which are relevant to the rating criteria. The claim is being remanded for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, finding that the in-service organic arsenic and ultraviolet light exposure contributed to the development of these non-melanoma skin cancers. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a fever disorder and lung disorder were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the termination of VA pension benefits for incarceration periods and overpayment creation were proper, with no service connection issues addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for SCC of the tonsil was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been received. The case is remanded to determine if there is a link between the cancer and service exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues related to the service member's character of discharge and whether his liver cancer is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left arm disorders, as well as an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability, have been denied.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed right or left arm disorder. The Veteran's reported symptoms do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim regarding the addition of his spouse, J., to his VA compensation benefits effective September 29, 2017 is being remanded due to a lack of proper procedural steps.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the cause of death and its relation to service, specifically herbicide agent exposure.

The Board previously considered the issue of a TDIU for the period prior to March 27, 2007. It was not granted due to lack of schedular criteria. However, evidence suggests that service-connected disabilities contributed to substantial employment limitations before this date. The case is now remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service for adjudication on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has found that the Veteran met the criteria for a 'radiation-exposed veteran' based on his participation in atomic testing at Nevada sites during his active service. The claim is remanded due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the lung condition may have been related to any incident of service, including ionizing radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating prior to February 14, 2018, for residuals of fractured left middle and ring (third and fourth) fingers was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent from February 14, 2018, for residuals of fractured left middle and ring (third and fourth) fingers was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 11, 2011, due to his service-connected disabilities was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for pharyngitis but denied service connection for a jaw disability.