Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Board has granted a general apportionment of the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits to the appellant, in the amount of the dependency allowance for a spouse, prior to February 14, 2020. The decision is based on the fact that the appellant was financially dependent on the Veteran during their separation and there was no evidence of financial support from the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of teeth due to trauma, finding that there was no evidence showing bone loss in the maxilla or mandible resulting from trauma. The Veteran had already been granted service connection for other dental conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a specific phobia disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service and specifically his time spent in small, hot enclosed spaces while training and serving aboard various naval vessels.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip disorder, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's treatment at MDHC on April 9 and 10, 2013 was for a medical emergency. The AOJ is instructed to determine what expenses were paid by Medicare or any other non-VA health-plan contract and determine the remaining amount reimbursable by VA.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right clavicle fracture residuals prior to July 27, 2017 was granted. A 30 percent rating is now in effect for this period. The claim for a higher rating from July 27, 2017 remains denied. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective March 28, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral eye condition and its relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for macular degeneration or blindness, but the VA examiner did not provide sufficient information on whether his condition preexisted service or was aggravated by a superimposed injury during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus and his current foot conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the case will be processed by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of such a condition and his reported symptoms have been contradicted by medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for chronic diarrhea and prurigo nodularis have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and clarification regarding the Veteran's epididymitis rating and TDIU effective date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, including as due to service-connected hypertension. The evidence does not support an etiological link between any of his current bilateral eye disabilities and active service or service-connected hypertension.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the nature and cause of any diagnosed ulcer conditions, including whether they are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA opinion to address whether the Veteran had a bilateral lower extremity disability, excluding rheumatoid arthritis, that clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The examiner is also asked to determine if each current disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period between December 13, 2013 and April 5, 2019 was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected left upper back lipoma and its associated scar, as well as his neurological pain. Additional VA examinations are needed to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for an autoimmune/connective tissue disorder, claimed as lupus, due to insufficient opinions regarding its etiology and relationship to service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the residuals of a left knee arthroplasty can be granted as the appellant has passed away.