Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case because new medical records were not obtained and an addendum opinion is needed to consider whether the Veteran had primary lung cancer that metastasized to his esophageus, which could support service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for right 5th finger Volar plate injury, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's cause of death due to esophageal cancer was not service-connected, as the evidence did not establish a link between his in-service exposure to contaminated water and his condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left great toe disorder, right great toe disorder, bilateral hammertoes, and bilateral lower extremity varicose veins as there is no evidence of these conditions during or related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for facet joint disease of the lumbar spine, pruritis due to folliculitis and xerosis of the upper back, and left knee disorder. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination regarding his left knee condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder and a neck disorder have been denied as there is no evidence to support the presence or continuity of these conditions during or within one year after military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's xerosis with a history of ichthyosis vulgaris warrants a maximum 60 percent rating, as it requires constant or near-constant systemic therapy. The assigned rating adequately reflects his disability picture and symptomatology.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right inguinal hernia from June 4, 2019 to July 21, 2021. The claim of entitlement to TDIU is denied as the combined schedular rating exceeded 70% due to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to properly rate the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including whether he has hammer toes and any related neurological condition. The VA examiner will be asked to provide opinions on these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hiatal hernia as secondary to his service-connected duodenal ulcer, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between the two conditions.

A 60 percent rating for hidradenitis suppurative was granted from February 4, 2013 to August 29, 2013.,A 60 percent rating for hidradenitis suppurative was granted from October 1, 2013 to January 5, 2017.,A rating in excess of 60 percent for hidradenitis suppurative was denied from January 5, 2017 to September 19, 2019.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and the need for a medical opinion. The accrued benefits and service-connected burial benefits claims are also being remanded as they are intertwined with the current issues on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, including its potential connection to service and environmental exposures.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Korea. The cause of death was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which the Board found did not manifest during service.

The Board has determined that substantial compliance with its April 2020 Remand directives has not yet occurred, and thus, the Veteran's claim must again be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected depressive reaction, and the Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left leg length and/or high hip discrepancy, as well as her thoracic spine condition with radiating pain. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and provide opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service or not.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of head trauma is being remanded due to the old VA examination and a need for a new one.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of the Veteran's left ankle sprain due to new evidence received since the final March 2015 decision. The respiratory disorder claim is also remanded for a VA opinion on its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a stroke and its residuals, as well as the nerve disorder of the bilateral upper extremities. Additional medical records need to be obtained, and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner is required.