Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's dementia is now service-connected as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. Additionally, the Veteran's cause of death due to dementia is also service-connected.

The Board has determined that the initial decision denying PCAFC eligibility was based on incorrect legal standards and remands the case for a proper evaluation under the correct statutory criteria. The Veteran's eligibility will be re-evaluated using the updated standard, which includes consideration of his need for supervision, protection, or instruction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the feet, bilateral hallux valgus, hammer toe deformities, and atherosclerotic disease in distal arteries was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to service. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness and imbalance, finding that there is no direct or secondary relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hiatal hernia is related to service or a service-connected condition. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician that includes testing for a hiatal hernia and provides opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's service is unclear due to his testimony about a hold status, and the Board finds that verification from the relevant service department is needed to determine if he served at least 90 days during a period of war and was discharged or released for a service-connected disability.

A 100 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected ADHD is granted, effective November 15, 2017, due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a January 19, 2018, rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for disorders manifested by alteration of sense of taste and smell, as these conditions are claimed to be secondary to a neck disorder (cervical spine subluxation of C2 vertebrae with degenerative condition). The case is also remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling an addendum VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence and a need for an independent medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed neurological symptoms, including numbness and apraxia of the hands. The examiner is asked to determine if these symptoms are related to active service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and harmful substances in Southwest Asia, as well as possible in-service head trauma.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to scheduling errors and confusion regarding an in-person VA examination for the Veteran's stroke. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and rescheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the service connection for gastrointestinal disability, to include a stomach ulcer, should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinion in the previous VA examination.

Your claim for service connection for TMJ has been granted, effective May 14, 2015. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted in full.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia and sickle cell anemia due to insufficient evidence in the July 2020 VA examination report. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during service.

The Veteran's skin disability is not manifested by at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body or at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected. The Board denied a compensable rating for his skin disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development and review due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the hernia or sickle cell anemia occurred during active duty training.

The VA has denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits withheld in a fiduciary trust account, claiming she is the Veteran's niece. The appeal was not about service connection.

An effective date of January 27, 2013, but no earlier, for the recognition of C.F. as the helpless child of the Veteran on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left foot TTS had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and initial ratings due to the appellant's death before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been dismissed because the appellant died during the appeal process.