Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture of the right fourth and fifth fingers have been assigned a non-compensable evaluation. The evidence does not support an increase in disability rating.

The Veteran's left hand disability, associated with synovial sarcoma, is currently rated at 20 percent prior to December 16, 2019. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cause of death due to Alzheimer's Disease and squamous cell carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional information from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of his underlying causes, including whether they are related to service or herbicide exposure. The appeal will be considered on its merits if the medical opinion can be provided.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right hip disorder and left hip disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service, and to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether his anemia is related to his lymphocytic lymphoma or its treatment.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective June 20, 2015. The right hand tendonitis disability was rated at 10% from August 7, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current chronic respiratory condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic gastric carcinoma, was presumptively related to his service in Southwest Asia and the PACT Act exposure presumption.

The Board has granted service connection for a gynecological disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's condition had its onset during active duty service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected fronto-parietal subdural hematoma was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation prior to February 14, 2022.,For the period from February 14, 2022, forward, the Veteran's symptoms of imbalance and short-stepped antalgic gait were evaluated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 6204. The Board found that this was the maximum evaluation available for his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to December 16, 2016. The Veteran's SSA records need to be associated with the case file.

The Board has granted the Appellant's claim to be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse, finding that continuous cohabitation occurred until his death.

The Board has decided that the change in the Veteran's Means Test eligibility category from copay exempt to copay required for income year 2016 was improper and has remanded the case for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The reduction of the disability rating for lumbago, status post placement of spinal cord stimulator from 20 percent to 10 percent effective June 19, 2015, was improper. The Veteran's appeal is granted as the 20 percent rating is restored.

The Board finds that additional development is needed due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and a recent VA examination. The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected sacro-iliac strain residuals are remanded.