Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has granted a separate, non-compensable (zero percent) disability rating for hammer toe of the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes of the right foot. The evidence is at least in balance as to whether this condition is secondary to service-connected right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's cause of death is not related to service, and the appellant is not recognized as his surviving spouse for death pension purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in overpayment claims and the need for a paid and due audit. The Veteran's overpayment debt will be determined, and he may challenge individual overpayments or the grand total within one year from the issuance of an Appeal Notification Letter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service or exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current blood disorder, including side effects from his medications. The examiner will assess whether these conditions are related to or aggravated by his service-connected deep vein thrombosis.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits due to a retroactive reduction in the compensation rate was not properly created, and thus grants the appeal.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions was not based on willful and persistent misconduct, thus removing a statutory bar to VA benefits. The appeal is granted as it meets the basic eligibility requirements for status as a veteran and entitlement to VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon and/or rectal cancer, to include lymphoma (previously claimed as cancer of the lymph nodes), is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his in-service herbicide exposure and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts (now claimed as a vision disability) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his eye condition.

The Board found that the overpayment of VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 was due to administrative error and/or an error in judgment on the part of VA, thus granting the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's brainstem glioma did not have its onset during active duty service or was otherwise etiologically related to active duty service, including exposure to sarin. Service connection for this condition is therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's MGUS, finding it at least as likely as not related to his active duty service and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's uterine fibroids were aggravated by her service-connected psychiatric disability. The claim is now pending for further development and an appropriate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including service connection for a fallopian tube disorder and compensable rating for endometriosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 3, 2017. From October 3, 2017, the Veteran is in receipt of a 100% disability rating for leukemia and SMC, making the TDIU issue moot.

The Veteran's claim for additional dependency compensation is remanded due to the inextricability of the service connection issue. The Veteran must attend a Board hearing regarding his service connection claim before any final decision can be made on the dependency compensation issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand numbness has been granted and assigned an effective date as of the date of his claim. The Board dismissed the appeal because the issue is fully resolved.

The Veteran seeks recognition of D.H. as her child for VA's purposes to obtain additional dependency compensation due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18. The Board finds there is a substantial amount of potentially relevant evidence that could assist in the claim, including SSA disability payments and employment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin condition, finding no evidence linking his current conditions to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear condition, finding that there is no evidence linking this popping sensation to her service or any other conditions.