Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected right calf muscle disability is rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under DC 5311. The decision grants a higher rating than what was previously assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hernia disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current umbilical hernia to his in-service left groin hernia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye condition other than dry eye syndrome, GERD with diffuse gastric fold thickening, and IVDS is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The rating reduction from 20% to 10% for IVDS was also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an appendix condition and/or residuals of appendix removal as secondary to his service-connected inguinal hernia, finding that there is no medical evidence establishing a link between the current disability and the service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional VA examination reports and clinical documentation being received without Agency of Original Jurisdiction review.

The Board denied service connection for esophageal cancer, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus between the condition and active service or exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear information regarding the number of drill days performed and whether military drill pay was received for those days. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's request for payment of ambulance services provided by Camas Fire Department on July 30, 2015 is granted as the criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C. § 1725 are met.

The Veteran's overpayment claim and waiver claim are remanded due to the need for DFAS' audit of his DoD account, recalculation of the overpayment amount if applicable, and adjudication of the waiver claim by COWC.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 50 percent for his service-connected Other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (OSTSD) is remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases. Additionally, the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the OSTSD claim and thus also needs to be remanded.

The Veteran's initial staged ratings for gout of the bilateral feet were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim due to an issue regarding clear and unmistakable error in a previous rating decision, which is intertwined with the current appeal for a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 prior to February 9, 2015.

The Veteran's application for additional VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 was denied due to the limit on total aggregate period of education benefits under two or more programs, which is 48 months. The Veteran had already used over 48 months of benefits from other programs.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed heat stroke injury. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if he currently has any residuals from his alleged 1991 heat stroke incident.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a clothing allowance for the 2011-2012 claim period before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied reopening the claim for residuals of cerebellar infarct due to lack of new and material evidence, as none of the submitted evidence relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claim for service connection for alopecia areata, including obtaining missing service records and scheduling a VA examination. The case is REMANDED.

The Veteran's additional disabilities, diagnosed as post-torniquet syndrome and chronic denervation of the left leg, are deemed to have been caused by an event not reasonably foreseeable consequent to February 2009 left knee surgery performed at VA facilities associated with the Orlando VAMC. As such, the appeal is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for uterine prolapse and residuals of a hysterectomy due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to June 4, 2013 due to incomplete records from federal treatment facilities. The Veteran's complete records of treatment from Joint Base San Antonio are requested.