Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a dental disability due to loss of teeth caused by in-service trauma, as there was no loss of substance of the maxilla or mandible.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's essential tremors are related to his service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim must be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a colon disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure and secondary to PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current colon disorders were related to his active duty service or to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's heart disability, characterized as paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and trace mitral regurgitation, was denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his active duty service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for back disability, including Degenerative Joint Disease and Residuals of a fracture at L1. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Board has not found substantial compliance with previous remand directives and requires further development regarding the Veteran's reimbursement for beneficiary travel expenses to a VA medical facility. The AOJ is instructed to obtain financial information from 2016 and 2017, including contacting the Veteran if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and TDIU prior to December 21, 2017 was denied due to the absence of evidence showing that VA negligence caused his right small finger amputation.

The Board has denied service connection for an unspecified personality disorder with borderline, paranoid, and schizotypal traits as the evidence does not support a finding of service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded because the VA personnel/employment records are needed to clarify his employment history.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability prior to March 6, 2018 was denied as the Veteran failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The appeal is dismissed because the Appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's skin condition, including hyperhidrosis palms and bromidrosis feet secondary to pompholyx, has worsened since the last VA examination. The Board finds a remand necessary for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected skin condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma involving disfigurement of the face prior to May 28, 2019 is granted. The claim for a higher rating for facial scars that are unstable and/or painful beginning June 9, 2022 is granted. Claims for increased ratings for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma involving the anterior trunk and posterior trunk/left upper extremity are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left and right hand disabilities has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for a compensable disability rating for service-connected post-operative changes of a hammertoe on the right foot. The Board dismissed this issue as a result.

The appeal for DIC, Survivors Pension, and accrued benefits is dismissed due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has restored the Veteran's service connection for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Special Monthly Compensation, allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or specially adapted housing. These benefits were previously discontinued due to a severance of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected cold injury to the feet does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted accrued benefits in the form of reimbursement for funeral and burial expenses, as the Appellant bore these costs.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient support for a chronic disability associated with the March 1965 injury or illness, and the need for a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed residuals of rheumatic fever.