Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for gout and TDIU due to gout need further examination and evaluation, as there is insufficient medical evidence considering secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hematologic disability and secondary erythrocytosis. The claim will be reviewed again with a new addendum VA opinion from a board-certified oncologist or a medical doctor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bowel disability secondary to his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of varicosities surgery of the left greater saphenous system from December 14, 2017, to January 9, 2020 was denied. The Board found that there was no persistent edema and stasis pigmentation during this period, warranting a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TIA and for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and failure to address the pneumonia claim. The Veteran's pneumonia disability is now subject to further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of right eye cataracts, to include pseudophakia; a separate compensable evaluation for hypertension; an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs; and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 29, 2018. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including a missed VA examination. The Veteran's left arm numbness is being reviewed for service connection with consideration of his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU before February 21, 2019 is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of infectious mononucleosis, left eye injury, and vision impairment. The Board found no current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his rating claim.

The Board denied an effective date prior to July 25, 2014 for the award of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits due to the Appellant's submission of a VA Form 21P-534 on that date.

The Veteran's Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's respiratory disorder claim is further remanded for an updated VA opinion regarding its relationship to service, including asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was not validly created, and therefore grants the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's increased rating for herniated disc with degenerative joint disease is granted effective April 12, 2018. The earlier effective date of June 22, 2017, for the increase in disability is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The case must be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records related to the Veteran's LPN training in approximately 2012. The appeal is not about service connection and thus does not involve any specific conditions or exposure basis.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is now rated at 50% for the period from June 25, 2022. He also received a TDIU effective April 12, 2013.

The Veteran's daughter was denied accrued benefits and substitute party status due to the evidence showing that the estate, not her, bore the last sickness and burial expenses of the Veteran.