Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a TDIU prior to January 24, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's jaw condition is at least as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. Effective dates prior to June 29, 2015, are also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether a neck tumor is related to service or caused by any service-connected disability, including diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete documentation and unclear needs. The Veteran's previous requests for certain equipment, supplies, and services under his VR&E plan are being reviewed to determine if they have been fully satisfied.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at CMP on June 18, 2015 was denied as she had not received care in the VA health care system within the previous 24 months.

The Veteran's request for a higher evaluation of 30% for his service-connected Crohn's disease is remanded due to errors in the previous rating decision and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and ensuring the full consent document for her left foot surgery is associated with the claims file. The Board will then seek an opinion on whether the additional disability was caused by or proximately caused by the bunionectomy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bone spurs of the left big toe, right big toe, and right heel. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral elbow disorders due to a lack of a VA examination and because the nature and etiology of his elbow disabilities need to be determined.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic vertebra compression fracture residuals and right clavicle fracture residuals are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for insomnia and chest pain, but denied service connection for right foot disabilities and left foot disabilities. The Veteran's claims for these issues are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left hip arthritis was denied, and he was granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on May 25, 2013 is being remanded due to the lack of November 2013 decision letters and consideration under 38 U.S.C. § 1728.

The Board denied the continuation of nonservice-connected death pension benefits for a surviving spouse from September 1, 2019 due to her income exceeding the maximum annual pension limit.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and/or foot surgery.

The Board granted the appellant's request for a Government-furnished headstone or grave marker as the service member met all eligibility criteria, despite his discharge due to an undesirable condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC based on housebound status, finding that there was clear and unmistakable error in the original rating decisions but no legal basis to grant an earlier date than May 4, 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information in the decision and lack of proper legal provisions cited. The Veteran needs to be provided with a clear decision notice that includes specific details about the tutoring assistance, applicable laws and regulations, findings, and criteria for granting the claim.

The Veteran is requesting earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits, which are currently granted as of December 6, 2019. The Board has remanded these issues due to the inextricability with the extraschedular TDIU issue.