Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of her request for review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of lymphocytic leukemia has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of esophageal disorders, including Barrett’s esophagus, dysphasia, and esophageal stricture. The examiner must address relevant STRs, April 2019 VA examination diagnosis, the Veteran's lay statements, and testimony from his Board hearing.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 13, 2002 for the award of DIC for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The appellant's original claim was denied in January 2003 and a petition to reopen her claim was denied in March 2003 due to lack of new and material evidence. However, she submitted additional evidence in October 2003 which led to reconsideration of her petition to reopen the previously denied claim. The appellant continuously appealed until September 2015 when the rating decision granted her DIC for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability was not caused by VA care, treatment, or examination. The proximate cause of his additional disability was attributed to personality issues and poor human interaction.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's stomach cancer and his service, including his conceded exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran is also seeking clarification on whether his in-service complaints of stomach cramps were early manifestations of his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental report from the VA examiner who previously provided opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disorders. The examiner is asked to address whether the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity and if so, whether the obesity was a substantial factor in causing any of his right foot/ankle conditions.

The Veteran's liver fibrosis is not service-connected as it was not shown to be related to his military service, including exposure to burn pits. The Board found that the liver fibrosis is a known pathology and did not have any disabling effects or signs/symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's heart condition will need further evaluation, including a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge as a conscientious objector did not serve as a bar to VA benefits, and thus granted the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals of the right and left lower extremities, as well as status post amputations of the second toes on both feet. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its relation to his military service. The VA examiners did not have access to all relevant records, including STRs added in July 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's service from September 21, 2010, to January 28, 2011. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant personnel records and request clarification from DoD on whether this period qualifies as active duty for educational assistance purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's polycythemia vera, MGUS, TIA, gastrointestinal bleed, JAK2 V61F gene mutation, and thrombocytopenia may be related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected polycythemia vera or MGUS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Raynaud’s syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his condition and whether it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The claim for accrued benefits was not timely filed, and therefore the appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's hand tremors are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with residuals of TBI.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a sleep disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.