Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and additional development is required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability, finding that there is no evidence of such a condition during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability were denied. Prior to December 20, 2017, the rating was denied as his condition did not meet criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating. From December 20, 2017, the claim was also denied as he did not meet criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for the 2019 calendar year cannot be processed due to missing documentation. The Board has ordered the AOJ to reconstruct and upload all relevant records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of VA compensation benefits in part, but has also remanded the issue due to procedural issues. The appeal is now being handled by the AOJ.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral tibial nerve condition due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The case is sent back for further development and an opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's umbilical herniorrhaphy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's skin disability related to HSV-2 is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board found that her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not cover more than 40% of her body or require constant systemic therapy.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documentation related to unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 1, 2014 at Central Peninsula Hospital and North Star Medical Imaging. The AOJ is required to reconstruct the record and upload all relevant documents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma (malignant salivary gland neoplasm) due to conflicting medical opinions and additional evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case will be reviewed with an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the cancer, including consideration of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Gullian-Barre Syndrome diagnosis is unclear and requires further clarification. The Veteran must provide information supporting his contention of active duty service in March 1986, and VA will obtain Social Security Administration records to support this claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is found to be related to his military service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided that the record for the claim of payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Canyon Villas is missing and needs to be reconstructed. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documentation related to a clothing allowance claim. The AOJ needs to reconstruct and upload all relevant records to the electronic claims file.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for tonsillar cancer. However, the claims are still being remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a direct or presumptive link between the Veteran's tonsillar cancer and his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 10 percent for both the right and left lower extremity meralgia paresthetica as of May 8, 2015.

The Board has ordered a new examination to assess the Veteran's right hip disability due to an inadequate previous VA examination report. The new examination should address additional functional impairment during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Board has denied the service connection claims for right eye and left eye disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions are related to military service.