Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland is remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer was found to have preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, thus it is considered a pre-existing condition. As such, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder with other specified stressor disorder and alcohol use disorder are granted service connection. However, the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $23,022.86 is being remanded for a detailed audit and review of the creation process. The Veteran will also be asked to provide a current financial status report.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right gluteal tumor, finding no evidence linking his condition to exposure at Camp Lejeune during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water while serving at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability and denied special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance. The Veteran's current eye disabilities were not related to his military service, and he did not require regular assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to asbestos, benzene, and chromium in service, as well as to provide an advisory medical opinion regarding his chronic lymphoid leukemia. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for additional retroactive payment for service-connected disabilities from June 2013 through September 2013, finding that he was not entitled to such payments due to proper withholding of military retired pay and VA disability compensation.

The Board has determined that VA did not fulfill its obligations under the procedures for contested claims, specifically by not providing copies of the December 2017 SOC and Substantive Appeal to the Veteran. The matter is therefore remanded to ensure compliance with these procedures.

The appeal regarding disability ratings for the veteran's knees has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's right hand neurological disability is rated at 40 percent since February 14, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The case was remanded for further development regarding the cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia has not resulted in any symptoms or functional impairment, and therefore, an increased disability evaluation is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory conditions are not service-connected and has ordered further development to address the issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for death benefits and temporary total disability rating is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the fingers, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his in-service injury or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has vacated the May 2021 decision and has remanded several issues, including service connection for a right knee disability and TDIU from June 14, 2014, to March 31, 2015. The appeal is currently pending due to these remands.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.