Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left hip strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active military service. As a result, the criteria for service connection were not met.

The Veteran's lipoma, posterior to the thorax, is granted a 10 percent disability rating due to pain. No higher rating is available as there are no other conditions that meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's prostatic adenocarcinoma was rated at 100% from August 12, 2014. The rating was reduced to 20% effective June 1, 2018, and then to 40% thereafter. The appeal for restoration of the 100% rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 14, 2011 due to incomplete Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The SSA provided duplicative records and did not indicate that the complete records are unavailable.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to April 1, 2015. The Board has determined that a remand is required for referral of the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a respiratory disability and skin disability, as they are unclear whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The VA is instructed to obtain clarification on the Veteran's deployment in 1991 and provide further medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of these disabilities to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with a previous remand directive and the Veteran's refusal of VA examinations. The case is now returned for further action, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the claimed TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing counseling records from Vet Centers. The Veteran's TDIU claim is still pending.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal for entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU). As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for calcaneal spurs of the left and right feet. The Veteran's current heel spurs are not related to his in-service stress fracture, as they did not manifest within one year of discharge.,Service connection for a chronic eye disorder (claimed as paralysis of the left eye and eyelid) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 10 percent for his service-connected right foot disability is granted. His claim for a compensable rating for his right foot scars and multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 are denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU on a schedular basis or referral for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for intestinal cancer must be remanded due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions regarding exposure to ionizing radiation and toxic herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for anemia and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed as the appeal has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's left index finger and thumb disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for right hip strain and for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for left hip strain were denied as the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in June 2022.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for complex regional pain syndrome of the left lower extremity prior to June 19, 2020 due to a failure to address whether a challenge had been raised as to the competency of a March 2018 VA examiner. Additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability and hepatic cysts due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip avascular necrosis and replacements, but denied the claim for TDIU prior to December 7, 2020. The case is being remanded for further consideration.

The Board has denied a higher rating for Achilles tendonitis of the right heel and has remanded the claim for further development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.