Other conditions decisions — 2022

The appeals of service connection for the cause of death, entitlement to burial allowance, and right eye condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for polycythemia and erythrocytosis, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board gave more probative weight to the opinion from a VA examiner who concluded that the Veteran's polycythemia is less likely caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current basal cell carcinoma residuals are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The Veteran's left eye cataracts are being reviewed, as is his claim for SMC benefits and Chapter 35 DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding potential asbestos exposure and service in Japan. The Veteran's cause of death is being considered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and State court divorce proceedings documents. The appellant is also requested to provide information regarding in-service stressors that may be relevant to her claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including a comprehensive peripheral neuropathy VA examination and retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma residuals.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made.

The Board denied service connection for cognitive disability and Alzheimer's disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have their onset in service or within a year of separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the previous remand directives were not complied with and a new remand is necessary due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left jaw pain. The case will be returned for an addendum nexus opinion by a certified neurologist.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the appellant's Social Security benefits and medical expenses. The appellant needs to provide additional documentation for her income and living expenses.

The Veteran's post-surgical right foot drop is rated at 40 percent, effective August 5, 2021. The rating for the condition prior to this date remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left thigh shrapnel wound residuals was denied by the Board, as the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of her deceased husband, finding that she was not married to him at the time of his death and thus did not meet the legal requirements for a surviving spouse.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for Crohn's disease was denied in 2006. The Board has now remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for dystonia musculorum deformans and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The case will be returned after further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and consideration of the National Academy of Sciences' (NAS) 2018 Update on Agent Orange exposure and its association with hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective date, increased rating, and SMC based on loss of use has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's narcolepsy was rated at 40% prior to May 27, 2020, and the Board denied a higher rating. For the period from May 27, 2020, the Veteran's condition was rated at 80%, which is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal to receive a higher disability rating for his service-connected unspecified insomnia disorder has been withdrawn by the Veteran.