Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has ordered the RO to attempt to obtain records from Dr. H. Levine, who treated the Veteran for jaw care and facial paralysis. The decision is remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma, finding that the evidence does not support a link to active service or military environmental exposures.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings for hip conditions has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a May 2022 correspondence.

The appeal to establish service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to procedural issues. The appellant must file a VA Form 9 or other appeal option under the AMA.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance of another or housebound status, for the purposes of accrued benefits was denied as he had no service-connected disabilities during his lifetime.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative changes in the right elbow is remanded due to inadequate examination and missing treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's urethritis and for additional development regarding his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for his service-connected right upper extremity disability is denied because the increase in disability did not occur prior to the filing of his claim on January 29, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell larynx carcinoma, metastatic to neck status-post radiation and chemotherapy (claimed as throat cancer) associated with herbicide exposure. The Veteran's disability is presumed due to his exposure to Agent Orange while stationed near the base perimeters in Thailand.

The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for residual paresthesias, status-post left mandible en bloc resection due to plexiform ameloblastoma, involving the seventh cranial nerve effective February 11, 2021.,The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for residual paresthesias, status-post left mandible en bloc resection due to plexiform ameloblastoma, involving the ninth cranial nerve effective February 11, 2021.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right and left foot strain, as well as any arthritis in his feet. The VA will schedule an examination to determine if he has a current diagnosis of arthritis and whether it is related to service or caused by other service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural issues and the need for additional information from the Appellant regarding her income, expenses, and dependents. The matter will be readjudicated after these matters are addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right thumb injuries, finding that there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within a presumptive period, and that any current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to the Veteran not meeting the duration requirements for a total disability rating at the time of death. The DIC benefits claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded as there are issues regarding the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations, and a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, SMC, and DEA benefits due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left eye conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his right little finger and right ring finger disabilities, finding that the evidence does not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability for compensation purposes is denied as he does not have a compensable dental disability. The matter of his eligibility for treatment purposes must be referred to VHA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sleep disorder and skin condition due to incomplete verification of his claimed Southwest Asia service during Desert Storm. The RO is instructed to take all appropriate steps to verify this service, including obtaining personnel records and unit rosters.