Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's mental health disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder and unspecified trauma disorder, has caused total occupational and social impairment from April 16, 2014 to August 9, 2020. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for this period.

The appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a surviving spouse without dependents, resulting in denial of survivors' pension benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during his military service, and thus no presumption of exposure applies.

The appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a surviving spouse without dependents, resulting in denial of survivors' pension benefits.

The service member's discharge was dishonorable, which bars the surviving spouse from receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

The Board denied the appeal as the service member's discharge was under dishonorable conditions, which bars VA benefits. The decision is based on willful and persistent misconduct during service.

The Veteran's solar elastosis with actinic keratosis and history of basal cell carcinoma have manifested as characteristic lesions covering at least 40 percent of his total body area, warranting an initial 60 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected hairy cell leukemia is granted a permanent and total disability rating. The claim for an initial compensable rating for chromosome damage is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The RO must determine if the Veteran served 'offshore of Vietnam' as defined by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at App Of South Carolina Ed PLLC on September 26, 2019, was dismissed as the benefits were already approved by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the PCAFC eligibility decision is based on a pre-decisional error and requires remand to reevaluate the Veteran's eligibility under the correct statutory criteria for 'need for supervision, protection, or instruction'.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back condition. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's diagnosed myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), which is presumed to be associated with Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure, qualifies as adult leukemia and thus service connection for MPN due to CLCW exposure is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coccidioidomycosis may be related to service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents. However, due to a duty to assist error, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his TDIU claim on appeal, and the Board dismissed it as a result.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for diplopia is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right forearm skin disability, left shoulder cancer (malignant melanoma), and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a relationship between the claimed conditions and service or herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected high grade talofibular ligament strain of the left ankle is denied. The current disability level remains at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep disability and dental surgery residuals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral hands, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.