Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denial of service connection for right thumb pain before a final decision was made by the Board.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection decision is made.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ulcerative colitis and for TDIU due to inadequate examination reports. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's ulcerative colitis.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's eye conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The examiner must address whether the conditions are related to in-service injuries or treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of records from Dr. J.B., who treated the Veteran for NASH starting in 2013. The AOJ is required to secure these records and obtain an addendum opinion regarding the likely etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives regarding service connection for enlarged prostate.

The Veteran's cause of death was granted service connection, making the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 moot and dismissed.

The Veteran's sleep disability is remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not caused by PTSD and/or PTSD medications, aggravated by PTSD and/or PTSD medications, or caused by obesity. The TDIU issue is also remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, including insomnia, as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's malaria is inactive and without any residual disability or infection. The claim for a compensable rating for the malaria is denied.

The Veteran's postoperative gallbladder removal residuals have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The evidence does not support a higher rating due to the mild symptoms and lack of severe impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's respiratory and skin conditions are related to his military service, specifically his parasitic infection and exposure to toxic herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that there are inconsistencies in the VA's audit of the surviving spouse's account and pension award, and thus remanded for an amended audit to clarify matters.

The Veteran's appeal for a permanent and total rating for non Hodgkin's lymphoma has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fracture to the left ring finger with intrinsic muscle injury of the left hand (muscle group IX) is being remanded due to the need for a VA peripheral nerve examination.

The claim of entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied, and the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a respiratory condition was dismissed. The effective date for service connection of TBI prior to October 10, 2013, was denied. A compensable rating for headaches as a residual of TBI was denied. An initial rating in excess of 70 percent for residuals of TBI with headaches was denied. Ratings of 10 percent and 30 percent since September 1, 2008, until June 5, 2018, for impaired rectal sphincter control associated with internal hemorrhoids were also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities prior to June 1, 2012. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for an extraschedular determination.

The Board has denied service connection for sickle cell trait anemia and remanded the issue of service connection for premature ventricular contractions (PVC). The Veteran's sickle cell trait is considered a congenital defect, which preexisted service. Service connection cannot be granted as it would violate the presumption of soundness at entry into service.