Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right middle finger trigger finger is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For her fibroid in the uterus, the Veteran is requesting a compensable rating and the Board has determined that remand is necessary to further develop the evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal, finding that his pension benefits were properly suspended due to his status as a fugitive felon.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinion and lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. The claim will be reviewed again for a more thorough medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome and his service-connected TMJ and back disabilities.

The Veteran's celiac disease and chronic diarrhea are granted service connection, as the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions had onset during active duty. The Veteran also has presumptive service connection for a chronic undiagnosed or multisymptom illness manifesting in joint pain, paresthesia in the extremities, headaches, sleep issues and fatigue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous instructions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's breathing problems.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, manifested by shortness of breath. The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced symptoms related to this condition during his military service and continues to experience them today. The medical opinion supports the finding that these symptoms are linked to his in-service exposure to smoke inhalation from a range fire.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the pathophysiology of the Veteran's multiple nodules and cysts, as it relates specifically to this Veteran.

The Veteran's left lower extremity nerve impairment is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's Grave's disease was caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of right ear hearing loss and Gulf War exposure-related conditions.,Right ear hearing loss remains pending as new evidence has not been provided to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent. However, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March [REDACTED], 2005, for the addition of a dependent minor child (H.S.) to the award of DIC benefits. The decision is based on clear evidence that the appellant's application was sent to VA in May 2005 and there was an error preventing its receipt.

The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized emergency medical expenses incurred at Chambersburg Hospital on October 3, 2013 is granted as the evidence shows that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to result in placing the health of the individual in serious jeopardy.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and limited motion, is rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a skin disability, to include as secondary to service-connected plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claim is being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's right thumb arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of a gap greater than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers, with the thumb attempting to oppose the fingers. Therefore, an increased rating beyond 10 percent is denied.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of a higher rating for post-phlebitic syndrome and TDIU due to lack of recent VA examination and incomplete evidence. The case is being remanded for further action.

This decision grants a rating of 10% for left thumb disability, left index finger disability, and right knee instability from July 19, 2011. It denies ratings in excess of 10% for the left-hand long finger disability, left thumb disability, left index finger disability, left knee painful limitation of motion, right knee painful limitation of motion, and left Achilles tendon with myofascial pain gastroc/soleus muscle group over the entire appeal period. The decision also grants a TDIU from March 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a neurological disorder, specifically restless leg syndrome (RLS). The pulmonary disorder claim is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating for epididymitis orchitis, so the case is dismissed.