Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the claim for dependent benefits for the Veteran's spouse, D.L., as the decision was granted prior to the promulgation of the decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examination findings regarding functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive motion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, carotid artery disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder to include Crohn's disease, finding that his current diagnosis of Crohn's disease did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's penile and urethral cancer is presumed to be related to his service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. However, the Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if there is sufficient evidence linking the cancer directly to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's glioblastoma multiforme and to ascertain if he had qualifying service in Southwest Asia. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. As this benefit is higher than that for housebound status, the housebound claim is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the appellant's mental state during service, which could affect his character of discharge and insanity determination. The VA will obtain additional records and conduct a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left malleolus fracture has rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, leading to a TDIU determination.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left hip disorders, and remanded the TDIU claim. The decision is pending further action by the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Alameda Hospital is denied because she did not receive VA health care within the 24-month period preceding her treatment.

The Veteran's right thigh impairment and right hip chronic strain are currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 31, 2018. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of the Veteran's death certificate and medical records, including his final hospital summary. The appellant is advised to submit these documents.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis of the arms. The Veteran is entitled to a compensable rating for his status-post tonsillectomy, but not for arthritis of the arms.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that the preexisting condition did not worsen during service and thus could not be considered aggravated.

The Board denied service connection for paresthesias of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches, claimed as aneurysms and calcifications of the brain, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his period of active duty. The appeal for service connection for large duodenum ulcer/peptic ulcer, to include as due to service-connected disabilities, is also remanded due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether this condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and GERD with cricopharyngeal achalasia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's income exceeds the maximum allowable pension rate for non-service-connected aid and attendance benefits, thus denying his claim.

The appeal is dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no service connection was granted.

The Veteran's appeal for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.