Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for ulcerative colitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are no more than moderate and do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information provided in the addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hematologic disorder was aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including CAD, DMII, and bladder cancer residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and SMC based on aid and attendance due to issues with substantial compliance regarding the etiology of the Veteran's stroke, including consideration of the November 2018 National Academies of Science update.

The Veteran's request for an annual clothing allowance for a back brace in 2017 is remanded due to missing documents. The AOJ must associate the claim and related documents with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's arteriosclerosis and his service-connected peripheral arterial disease, as well as potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The cause of death noted on the Veteran's death certificate will also be reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disorder and gastrointestinal disorder, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The remand is necessary due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is dismissed as the appellant, his surviving spouse, has died. The appeal is moot due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is denied because he does not meet the legal criteria for payment of SMC due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's cardiovascular conditions are caused by exposure to herbicide agents in service. An addendum opinion is needed from a clinician to determine if it is at least as likely as not that these conditions are caused by herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA death benefits, to include due to recognition as the Veteran's child on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18. The evidence did not show that the appellant was permanently incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 18.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for medical expense reimbursement for her April 3, 2016 non-VA emergency room visit at Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth due to a medical emergency and lack of availability of VA facilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of left tonsil, status post radiation. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion as to whether there is a nearly equal or greater chance that the Veteran's condition is causally related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's residuals of left and right hernia surgery are rated based on the severity of his condition, with varying ratings depending on the period considered. The Veteran is granted a 30% rating from June 3, 2016 to December 25, 2019 for small inguinal hernias that were not well-supported by truss or not readily reducible. He is denied compensable ratings prior to and after this period. A separate rating for pain and fatigue associated with his residuals of left and right hernia surgery is granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted effective December 26, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the pre-service and congenital arachnoid cyst disorder was aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal cancer, including small intestine adenocarcinoma, due to asbestos and chemical exposure during service. The evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's condition and these exposures.

The Board denied the Appellant's petition to reopen her claim for DIC benefits, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The original denial was based on an administrative decision in April 1977 which concluded she was barred from receiving VA compensation due to involvement in her husband's murder.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent from September 21, 2010 to May 7, 2019 for adjustment disorder with polysubstance abuse due to the severity and frequency of symptoms not warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's left hip DJD with limitation of extension, finding that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5251.