Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable rating for hernia residuals and TDIU due to lack of proper development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service exposure to mustard gas, which may be related to his cause of death. The Appellant contends that the Veteran was exposed to mustard gas during service and this exposure is linked to his multiple myeloma.

The Veteran's costochondritis, which manifested as chronic non-cardiac chest pain, was granted a 10 percent rating prior to March 13, 2018. Since then, the condition has not warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's squamous cell penile cancer is granted as due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated, as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's essential tremors were caused by an in-service concussion. The case is being remanded for a VA examiner to provide an addendum opinion considering the Veteran's lay reports of an in-service concussion.

The Board has decided the Veteran's claim for service connection for oral cavity cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded. The issue of secondary service connection for oral cavity cancer due to lung cancer is also remanded.

The Board has vacated a remand and dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further efforts to locate SSA, OCCC, and other relevant records. The appellant's claim is based on new evidence suggesting he was insane at the time of his discharge.

The Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as ichthyosis vulgaris, is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting opinions and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophageal cancer is related to his service exposure to second-hand smoke, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for right hand numbness and remanded the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for motion sickness is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence that has not yet been considered by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for non-service-connected pension benefits is remanded due to procedural issues and a need for clarification on whether she wishes to proceed as a substitute claimant or an accrued benefit claimant. The appeal will be addressed on the merits after obtaining any additional evidence.

The Veteran's ventral hernia is not service-connected as it was a foreseeable complication of his coronary artery bypass grafting procedure, and the VA did not commit negligence or lack of informed consent.

The Veteran's disability rating for chronic adjustment disorder was initially denied, but the Board granted a higher 70 percent rating effective from November 15, 2017. The initial rating of 30 percent was maintained prior to this date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bowel disease, specifically diverticulosis and Crohn's disease, due to environmental exposures during service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War. The evidence does not establish a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete record, specifically a missing report from a March 2020 vocational rehabilitation evaluation. The Veteran seeks VR&E services for education in social work.

The Veteran's bruxism, resulting in TMJ pain and eventual tooth removal, is granted a 10 percent rating prior to April 18, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to his incarceration in February 2013. The Veteran was previously service-connected for right tarsal tunnel syndrome, mood disorder associated with it, and other conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is warranted to obtain an updated VA examination and medical opinion addressing the Veteran's right index finger dislocation residuals, including functional impact of cold weather and employment effects. The claim will be re-adjudicated after obtaining this information.