Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis has been granted a 100 percent disability rating throughout the appellate period, effective from prior to October 2020. The matter of TDIU is considered moot due to the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's uterine fibroids were incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal.

The Veteran's skin growth on right upper extremity and bilateral lung nodules are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA emergency medical expenses is being remanded due to the need for further development and adjudication, including determining what, if any, expenses were paid by Medicare or other health-plan contracts.

The Veteran's service-connected perirectal abscess, standing alone, prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. Additionally, he had a 70% disabling schizoaffective disorder, depressed type, which is considered an independent disability for the purposes of TDIU and housebound rate special monthly compensation. The Board granted both TDIU and housebound rate special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left elbow epicondylitis and related conditions was denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion, which is the highest available under DCs 5206-5024. Separate compensable ratings were not granted due to overlap in symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the vision condition is aggravated by service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral artery disease (PAD)/peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is not causally or etiologically related to his service, and it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has directed that the Veteran be provided with addendum opinions regarding his claim for service connection for a heart disability, including consideration of medical literature cited in his December 2021 appellate brief. The case is being remanded to obtain these addendum opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral cataracts are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's left hip and thigh iliotibial band syndrome are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limitation of extension. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma/Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, osteoradionecrosis of the jaw, scars, and a peristalsis condition are being remanded due to new evidence indicating that the Veteran may have squamous cell carcinoma instead of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The claims for these conditions are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma/Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the case, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent for limitation of extension, but the Board has remanded this claim due to ongoing development needs.

The Veteran's adult son is seeking recognition as the Veteran's child for the purposes of survivor benefits due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18. The Board has determined that additional private and federal records are needed to fully evaluate this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to squamous cell carcinoma, finding that it is not likely related to in-service radiation exposure but more likely related to asbestos exposure. The decision also acknowledges probable asbestos exposure based on Navy records and VBA guidance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's enlarged prostate was caused by his conceded herbicide exposure. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Board denied service connection for a left hand condition and a left forearm condition, finding no current disability. Service connection was granted for a gastrointestinal disorder secondary to a service-connected disability.