Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hip conditions and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence, a new VA examination, and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant died during the pendency of the case.

The Board denied the claim as the decedent could not be verified as having served in the U.S. Army, thus denying basic eligibility for VA benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's request to be recognized as a substitute party for her mother, who was seeking an apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits. The spouse had passed away and there were no accrued benefits available due to the laws not allowing substitution in this specific scenario.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral artery disease of the left lower extremity and peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any known clinical diagnosis. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to a combination of factors including smoking, hyperlipidemia, and exercise habits.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate 2019 examination and failure to obtain pertinent medical records, including private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for Gilbert's syndrome, finding that the condition first manifested during active service and continues to this day. The Veteran does not need to prove a specific cause-and-effect relationship between his current condition and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left eye disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected epilepsy.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected orthodontic malocclusion is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The previous July 2008 rating decision did not include range of motion measurements, and there is evidence of painful motion associated with this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right hip disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to heart disability (IHD) that was presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran had in-service responsibilities as an air traffic controller at a Thai military base, which brought him near the perimeter on a regular basis.

The Board denied service connection for a dental disability and bilateral axillary pain as there is no evidence of current disabilities or that the conditions began during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right elbow and forearm disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis and spondylolisthesis of the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine, finding that any pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to address the Veteran's contention that his skin rash began in service and has continued since.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made.

The Veteran's Lewy Body dementia is granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand.,The cause of the Veteran's death, Lewy Body dementia, is also granted as service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for right and left hip disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's request to extend her eligibility period for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code due to lack of evidence showing a physical or mental disability preventing her from using DEA benefits prior to January 22, 2014.

The Veteran's mood disorder and depressive features have been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from June 5, 2013.