Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral keratoconus is granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise that his current condition began during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the timeliness of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) submitted on June 13, 2018. The Board dismissed this issue as a result.

The Board found that the Veteran's overpayment was properly created due to his failure to notify the RO of his divorce from P., and thus denied his challenges to its creation. The apportionment claim for P. is also dismissed as she did not perfect her appeal.

The Board has determined that the December 2018 VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for a new medical opinion to address the Veteran's left foot pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg amputation is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a bone infection is denied as there is no current disability and the claimed condition did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for benign prostatic hypertrophy and tremors, both of which he contends are related to his service at Camp Lejeune. The remand will allow for these opinions to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The Veteran's esophageal cancer may be related to service if it is determined that he was exposed to herbicides during his service aboard the U.S.S. America.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, including pancreatitis and ulcerative colitis, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his spouse's dependent status, as he did not provide the necessary social security number within one year of being notified to do so.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient rationale in the decision.

The Veteran's left hip degenerative joint disease with limitation of flexion is granted a rating of 20 percent prior to February 20, 2014. A separate 10 percent rating for left hip degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension from December 11, 2011 to February 20, 2014 is also granted.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's synovitis and myositis of the right knee, finding that his symptoms did not warrant such a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for limb girdle muscular dystrophy, low back condition, right lower extremity sciatica, and generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by his active service.

The Board has remanded the claim due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for additional examinations by experts in Lyme disease. The Veteran's symptoms are being evaluated, including whether they are related to her diagnosed condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant submitted a timely request for substitution as claimant, and therefore grants the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current anemia, as the March 2012 VA examiner's conclusions were unclear.

The Veteran's hepatic steatosis is not related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with procedural safeguards and additional evidence received after the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's unrepresented status, along with the need for compliance with contested claims procedures, necessitates further development.

The Veteran's loss of use of both feet due to lower extremity peripheral vascular disease is granted at a 100 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating is dismissed as moot, given the grant of a 100 percent rating for PVD. The Veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa remains rated at 60 percent.