Other conditions decisions — 2021

The appellant died during the appeal process, and as a result, the Board has no jurisdiction to decide the merits of his claims.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no order for substitution has been issued.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder characterized by swelling, claimed as phlebitis and lymphedema, finding that there is no evidence of such condition during his active military service. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to support a diagnosis of lymphedema or related conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for numbness in the right foot and right toes as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of chronic right ankle sprain status post right distal fractured fibula.

The Veteran's former spouse, N.R., was not considered his dependent spouse during the pendency of the claim for increased compensation. As a result, additional compensation based on her status as a dependent spouse is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on November 20, 2012.

The Veteran's chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which involves adhesions and symptoms such as constant pain, irregular menses, and bowel disturbance, is now rated at the maximum 50 percent under Diagnostic Code 7629 for endometriosis. This decision grants a higher rating than previously assigned.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at St. Lukes Magic Valley Regional Hospital and St. Lukes Clinic for the period from January 17 through January 26, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's asthma medication possibly aggravated his hiatal hernia and GERD, which necessitated the June 2011 surgery. The examiner should consider the Veteran's sworn testimony from May 2016 and July 2019.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to lack of allegations for appellate consideration.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all remaining claims, including the claim for service connection for PTSD. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral nerve damage in his lower extremities due to herbicide exposure and/or as secondary to diabetes. The VA examination did not provide a diagnosis of diabetes, but the Veteran was treated for it. The Board requires an addendum opinion from a VA medical professional regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity nerve damage is caused or aggravated by his diabetes.

The Veteran's right foot disability, specifically the fracture of the great toe, second, third, and fourth toes, has been rated at 30 percent. This rating is granted subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's nasal disability, right hand strain, left elbow disability, and right elbow disability have been granted service connection. The nasal disability is rated at 10 percent effective March 29, 2018.

The Board has determined that this matter is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues and the need to ensure full compliance with contested claims procedures. The case is remanded to address these issues.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability of bilateral-foot osteomyelitis, as due to prescription of methotrexate, finding that the Veteran's condition was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill or error in judgment.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no service connection issues were decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disability, residuals of an in-service ulnar nerve injury of the left hand, began during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.