Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as he was satisfied with his combined disability rating.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient medical records and need for clarification of the examiner's opinions regarding the Veteran's spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional supporting evidence in developing the claim, including an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's post-surgical neurological disabilities and their relation to or aggravation by the surgery, bleed, secondary surgery, or coma.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not currently in a condition that warrants a compensable rating, and he does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cancer.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left foot fasciitis and residual of post calcaneal spurs of the right foot, as well as his bilateral plantar fasciitis with residual of post calcaneal spur of the right foot. The claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding her service-connected left foot conditions, specifically whether the diagnosed neuritis and neuroma are related to her current service-connected condition or represent a separate issue.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for ergonomic equipment and stolen supplies under a VR&E plan due to incomplete records. The AOJ is instructed to ensure all relevant documents are associated with the electronic claims file, clarify the specific items requested by the Veteran, and review the case to determine if any benefits can be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to hypertension, which is presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has vacated the decision granting payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses due to the appellant's death, and dismissed the appeal as moot.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for the award of death pension benefits with special monthly pension (SMP) based on need for aid and attendance (A&A), finding that P. M.'s claim was not filed within one year of her husband's death, and thus no retroactive effective date is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's residuals of right testicle enlargement/hernia disorder. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition was incurred in, caused by, or otherwise related to his military service.

The Board recognized the appellant as the lawful spouse of the Veteran at the time of his death and found that she lived with him continuously from the date of marriage to the date of his death, thus granting her recognition as his surviving spouse for purposes of receiving DIC benefits.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis status post colectomy with ileostomy has been rated as 100 percent since June 3, 2013. The Veteran is requesting a permanent and total disability rating for this condition. However, the AOJ determined that there was a possibility of improvement and that the current rating may not be considered permanent. The Board finds that the issue should be remanded to allow for issuance of an SOC.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is currently assigned a 30 percent rating, but the Board has granted an initial 70 percent rating for his unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of DIC and accrued benefits due to a lack of proof of her marriage to the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current jaw disability, including residuals of traumatic mandibular fracture and condylar fracture, was incurred in or related to service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right orchiectomy, finding that the Veteran's condition is directly related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the case will be closed as there are no surviving claimants.