Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected photophobia, effective from when the appeal was filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for supraventricular arrhythmias, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorders, including whether they are related to service or aggravated by his service-connected migraines.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as an inadequate previous VA examination. The Veteran's left pelvis condition will need further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for tardive dyskinesia (also claimed as dystonia) is granted, but the claim of service connection is denied due to lack of fault on VA's part.

The Veteran's right leg varicose veins are rated at a 40 percent since September 21, 2015. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for insomnia disorder is being remanded due to an error in docketing. A Statement of the Case must be issued addressing these issues.

Service connection for pulmonary nodules and fibrosis is granted. The issue of service connection for a nasal disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left lung condition and memory loss, both related to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's dependents were granted eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 effective September 2, 2014. The appellant submitted a request for an earlier commencement date for payment of DEA benefits on August 14, 2017, which was within one year of the notice of the April 2016 rating decision granting an earlier effective date of March 10, 2014, for entitlement to DEA benefits. The Board found this request timely and granted eligibility for DEA benefits starting from September 2, 2014.

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for various service-connected conditions, including right hip disability, left hip disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right ear hearing loss, were denied. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood claim resulted in a grant of an initial 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's rectal bleeding, as the previous examination was inadequate.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's in-service injury is credible and remands for a VA examination to determine if his current dental disability is related to this service-connected injury.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of his appeal due to the issuance of a new rating decision awarding him a 40% disability rating for thoracic spine DJD effective January 10, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits was dismissed due to his death prior to the Board making a final decision.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran must provide completed VA Forms 21-8940 and 21-4192 in connection with this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits, finding that the law precludes such awards due to the finality of prior decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for breast cancer, finding that there is no credible evidence of continuity and noting that the in-service examination was normal for symptoms related to breast cancer. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during her service is conceded.