Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examiner to provide opinions regarding service connection and aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a liver disability, finding that an adequate opinion regarding its etiology was not provided by the VA examiner in August 2022. The Veteran's liver condition is being requested to be evaluated again with consideration given to whether it is related to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities (IBS and GERD) or obesity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurogenic bladder is related to his service-connected lumbar strain and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion to 60 degrees, and a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's Hodgkin's lymphoma is being remanded for further investigation into potential exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins while stationed at Fort McClellan.

The Board has granted additional compensation benefits based on the Veteran's son, J., being recognized as his dependent child for VA purposes.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued NSC death pension benefits greater than $4,020.44 due to a lack of evidence showing additional last expenses paid by him.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about whether the Veteran's bilateral eye disability is a congenital disease or defect, and if so, whether any other disease or injury was superimposed upon it as a result of service.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder (including obstructive sleep apnea) and an upper respiratory disorder (including sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and seasonal allergies), finding that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of these conditions. The Board also found no evidence to support presumptive service connection due to exposure to fine particulate matter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, finding no evidence of bone loss or compensable dental disability during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an additional opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected right and left foot disabilities, aggravates his peripheral insufficiency of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits as a surviving spouse of the Veteran due to her marriage not meeting the required length and timing eligibility criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left elbow disabilities due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to its inextricability with a separate rating appeal for service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's representative stated he did not understand the importance of submitting VA Form 21-8940, and updated treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer was granted a 20 percent rating from October 19, 2011 through February 4, 2018.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for ganglion cysts and scars of the left lower leg, effective from May 8, 2015. The Veteran's service-connected ganglion cysts have resulted in two painful cysts and two painful scars that do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 7804 or 7805.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for gastroenteritis during a hearing before the Board, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for damaged upper front teeth due to lack of evidence showing loss of substance of the body of maxilla or mandible without loss of continuity as a result of trauma or disease such as osteomyelitis.,For the entire appellate period, the Veteran's facial injuries or fractures disability resulted in moderate incomplete paralysis of the seventh (facial) cranial nerve and was granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for numbness, swelling, and sensory abnormalities associated with her left hand disability is granted. The effective date is November 27, 2009.