Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for laryngeal carcinoma with hoarseness/dysphasia and remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for leukemia. The issue of service connection for a disability manifested by weight loss, weakness, and lightheadedness (undiagnosed illness) is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Appellant is not entitled to survivor's pension benefits and has remanded the case for further development regarding funeral expenses.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his persistent right neck pain, which is rated at 20 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (Diagnostic Code 5237), has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in the rating beyond 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for Dependency Indemnity Compensation and Chapter 35 education benefits as the dependent child of the Veteran, finding that the Appellant does not qualify as a child under VA regulations due to her adoption by the Veteran's surviving spouse after his death.

The appeal for an apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder was granted at a 50 percent rating prior to December 12, 2019. From that date onwards, the Veteran's disability is rated at 70 percent. The claim for TDIU has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of service connection, rating, and TDIU issues related to panic disorder with agoraphobia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of primary optic atrophy of the left eye had its onset during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its relation to service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot status post stress fractures due to a lack of updated VA examination records and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including patellar tendinitis and status post meniscectomy, is currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending as the case was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, private medical records from Cleveland Metro Hospital, and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of actinic keratosis, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for restless leg syndrome as secondary to his service-connected back and psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a skin disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lymphoma, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and insufficient medical opinion to link current lymphoma to service.

The Board has determined that the previous remand orders were not fully complied with and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further action regarding work accommodations provided to the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete opinions and additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Stillwater Billings Clinic due to incomplete records and a need for further development.