Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives and need for further medical evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran was paid benefits to which he was not legally entitled, creating a debt in the amount of $9,587.90 for overpayment of education benefits under Chapter 33. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative joint disease, left hip, was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran had a pending claim prior to July 17, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development regarding service connection for an acoustic neuroma, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and service as a field radio operator. The Veteran's claim will be further developed with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for neuroma of the left foot, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has ordered a new examination to ensure compliance with the November 2021 decision's directive for range-of-motion testing with weightbearing, as well as noting increased pain and functional loss during such motion. The Veteran is seeking higher initial ratings for his right elbow disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's normal pressure hydrocephalus is related to a vehicular collision during his military service in August 1965, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for status post treatment for carcinoid of the lung, finding that the Veteran's in-service environmental exposures contributed to his malignancy. The benefit of doubt is applied in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for survivor pension benefits due to a lack of clear and convincing evidence showing a common law marriage after their divorce.

The Veteran's claims for additional disability due to osteomyelitis with chronic pain, a deformity of the spine, and an imbalance in standing and walking resulting from VA treatment are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for denying service connection for an eye disability, including as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim is now remanded for a VA examination to clarify any confirmed eye disabilities and determine their relationship to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, including its etiology and relationship to service.

The Veteran's sarcoma of the left thigh has been rated at 40 percent since June 2016. The Board has remanded this case for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current eye conditions and his service-connected bilateral conjunctivitis, as well as potential Camp Lejeune exposure.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 1, 2013 for the grant of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits due to a formal claim being received by VA in October 2013 within one year of the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bladder disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that VA treatment records from Canton, Parma, or Cleveland need to be obtained as they are relevant to the Veteran's claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to asbestos exposure, needs further examination and evaluation. The decision is remanded.