Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding the relationship between the Veteran's atrial fibrillation and service-connected ischemic heart disease, as well as any current residuals of previous cardiac ablation procedures. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for his atrial fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically his service-connected disabilities and their role in causing a fall that led to his death.

The Board denied the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) as there was no qualifying service in the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerilla forces, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. The appellant's spouse had a cause of death that is not presumed to be related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and the cause of death. The MDS is considered to be related to the Veteran's military service, with no presumption applied due to exposure to herbicides or other specific conditions. The cause of death was also determined to be related to the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a dental disability for purposes of obtaining VA outpatient treatment due to the need for VHA to make an eligibility determination first.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating and extraschedular evaluation for his service-connected left varicocele, finding that there was no evidence to support a higher rating based on voiding dysfunction or other symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a supplemental medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for otitis externa due to a lack of adequate medical opinion and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the appellant's timely submission of evidence within one year of the denial of his accrued benefits claim is sufficient to meet the criteria for filing a timely claim.

The Veteran's appeal for waiver of indebtedness was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including secondary service connection claims for various disorders. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits was denied because his period of service used to establish eligibility for Chapter 30 educational assistance also barred him from receiving Chapter 33 benefits. The Board found that the law precluded switching between programs based on a single event or period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder condition is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's embolism and thrombosis of the iliac artery, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 20% rating under Diagnostic Code 7111 due to lack of claudication on walking more than 100 yards or diminished peripheral pulses.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and effective date for Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The TDIU was initially granted on November 30, 2015.

The Veteran's ratings for PVD of the left and right lower extremities were reduced from 40% to 20%, effective July 1, 2012. The reduction was upheld as supported by evidence showing improvement in symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical clarification regarding whether the Veteran's current abdominal disabilities, including a ventral hernia and/or diastasis recti, are related to in-service symptoms or injuries.

The Veteran's right foot disability is rated at 20 percent, and service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the right foot disability is granted. Service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service-connected conditions.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death.