Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's inguinal hernia is granted service connection as it had its onset during service.,Service connection for a dental disorder is denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service trauma or systemic disease resulting in tooth loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left thigh muscle spasms began during service and have continued since then, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for a respiratory disability and atrial fibrillation, both claimed as related to asbestos exposure in service. The claims are being returned due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives regarding an examination by a pulmonologist.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from UTMB. The appellant must assist in obtaining these records, and if they cannot be obtained, the VA should notify her of this fact.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's bunions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that there is no evidence of a diagnosed respiratory condition during or after service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diverticulitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for nasopharyngeal cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his military service is at least as likely as not related to his condition. The cause of death was also determined to be due to the Veteran's nasopharyngeal cancer.,DIC benefits have been granted under 38 U.S.C. § 1310 for the Veteran's cause of death, and the claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot since service connection has already been established.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address VA's duty to assist in obtaining vocational rehabilitation records and the Veteran's employment and educational history prior to May 13, 2008.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to receiving VA compensation benefits due to his acceptance of an undesirable discharge in lieu of trial by special court-martial, which constitutes willful and persistent misconduct.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a groin or testicular disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current symptoms and his in-service complaints. The Board also found no aggravation of his service-connected disabilities beyond their natural progression.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current eye conditions are related to service or service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left elbow pain as there is no current diagnosis of such condition and the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the procedural steps for a contested claim have not been completed, and therefore, this matter is remanded to ensure compliance with special procedures. Additionally, both parties are required to provide updated financial information.

The Veteran's service-connected perianal abscess has rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation since July 28, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for breast cancer, alopecia areata (hair loss), and neurological impairment of her right hand as there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to her service or to her service-connected PTSD with MDD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a respiratory disorder and skin rash, bilateral forearms have been dismissed.,Claims seeking an effective date earlier than May 31, 2004 for the award of service connection and the assignment of a 10 percent rating for cervical spine disability are denied as they lack legal merit. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating to 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical (cervical spine disability) is also denied.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 6, 2019 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. Beginning March 6, 2019, his PTSD symptoms caused no more than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's occipital nerve injury residuals are currently rated as non-compensable, with symptoms described as mild dull pain and occasional mild paresthesias. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left shin splints are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's testicular cancer and service, particularly his in-service exposures. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion addressing these issues.