Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of malaria, finding that the Veteran's statements and testimony as to the onset and continuity of his malaria symptoms are credible. The Board resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, concluding that he incurred residuals of malaria during his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his right thigh muscle disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU from March 20, 2008 to August 27, 2010 remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a prostate disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not incurred in or related to his military service. The evidence did not support presumptive service connection based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a pre-existing spine injury, finding that the evidence clearly and unmistakably showed the Veteran had a preexisting spinal cord injury prior to service and that it was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left epididymitis (also claimed as varicocele and swollen left testicle) was denied because the condition does not involve any infection or treatment for infection, but results in symptoms of pain/tenderness and swelling of the left testicle that impact sexual functioning.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for cause of death due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if esophageal cancer was caused by exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) on an accrued basis, entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC). The complexity of the medical questions at issue requires further development.

The Board found that B.C. is not the Veteran's surviving spouse due to a separation by mutual consent but with an intent to desert, thus failing the continuous cohabitation requirement.

The Veteran's mandible and mouth disabilities are found to have started during service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the overpayment claim, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to address the issues of service connection for a sleep disorder, initial ratings for peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, and an effective date prior to October 20, 2011 for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's lung disorder and consequent need for lung removal surgery are found to be due to exposure to asbestos during his military service, granted retroactively as of June 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's hypertension and heart disability. The case needs a new addendum opinion from an examiner or VA cardiologist.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reports of his CVA symptoms and their impact on his ability to work. A new VA examination is needed to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's lung condition, including whether it is related to his service and exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for varicose veins, thrombosis, and peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities secondary to scrapping of veins was denied because the new evidence did not show carelessness or negligence in VA treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for myalgia of the left lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected left ankle tenosynovitis from residuals of an ankle fracture, finding that there was no evidence supporting a link between the two conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PID and has denied service connection for PID. The issues of service connection for abdominal pain and a skin disorder, to include hives are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and inadequate reasoning in the previous decision regarding compensation for fecal incontinence under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, as the evidence did not show that it met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he could not work due to service-connected disabilities.