Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's interstitial fibrosis is etiologically related to his active-duty service, specifically due to his conceded exposure to Agent Orange. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right little and ring finger disabilities have been granted initial compensable ratings of 10 percent each. His RUE neuropathy has also been granted a rating of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims regarding overpayments based on his former spouse and dependent children due to procedural issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right foot disorder diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding records. The Veteran's lung conditions, including pulmonary fibrosis, are being reviewed for service connection based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to confusion caused by a VA letter stating that the appellant was honorably discharged, and the AOJ needs to review all service personnel records to determine if his character of discharge remains a bar to VA benefits. The termination of nonservice-connected pension will be readjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding the time of onset and continuity of symptoms related to his genitourinary disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for overpayment waivers were denied because the requests were not timely filed. The first appeal related to $19,731.25 in overpayment due to return to active service from July 2013 to July 2014. The second appeal related to a $5,153.47 overpayment due to receipt of drill pay in FY 2015.

The Veteran's request for HISA benefits to install hardwood floors in a newly constructed home was denied because the program only covers improvements and structural alterations to existing structures, not new homes. The Board found that the Veteran intended to reside in the new house, which did not qualify under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot heel spur and neck disorder have been reopened, and the claims are granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral neurological disability of the lower extremities, which is currently pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gout, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to gout and that the current condition is not causally related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew it.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA knee examination, and scheduling a VA hearing loss examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for memory loss, right knee strain with osteoarthritis and meniscal tear, and hearing loss are being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Sjogren's syndrome, finding that there was no current diagnosis of this condition separate from his already service-connected undifferentiated connective tissue disease with myositis.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the TDIU claim, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for temporomandibular joint dysfunction is being readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiogenic shock, which is related to his service-connected venous insufficiency of the left leg with superficial thrombophlebitis. The Board finds that a VA examination should have been conducted and remands for such an opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of individual unemployability as it was resolved in a previous decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher SMC rate is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and expert medical opinion on his degree of infirmity.