Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete research on herbicide exposure at Vandenberg and Minot AFBs, requiring further investigation into both tactical and commercial herbicides. The Veteran's cardiac arrhythmia is also being evaluated for potential service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected eating disorder is not manifested by incapacitating episodes, and therefore, the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of the August 2023 examination, which did not consider the Veteran's statements regarding his disability. The examiner must address whether delays in post-operative care resulted in additional disability present during the claim period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for recognition of his spouse and child due to insufficient information provided. The case is being remanded to provide proper notice under the VCAA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot conditions, specifically pes planus. The issues are related to whether his pre-existing condition worsened during active duty.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for hearing loss of the right ear. The claim for service connection for an eye disorder of the left eye is remanded due to the Veteran's withdrawal request.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a left leg disorder and left foot drop due to outstanding service treatment records not being obtained, and because the Veteran has not been examined regarding these conditions.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 50 percent for dysthymia, the maximum available under the General Formula for Mental Disorders. The decision also addressed other issues but did not affect these findings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's myoclonus disorder. The matter is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of TDIU prior to July 30, 2019 has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the appellant was 'insane' at the time of misconduct that led to his discharge. The examiner is asked to assess if the appellant exhibited prolonged deviation from normal behavior, interfered with societal peace, or became antisocial during the incidents resulting in his bad conduct discharge.

The Veteran's MGUS is granted on a presumptive basis due to his service in Vietnam and conceded herbicide exposure. However, the claim for service connection on other bases (direct or secondary) must be remanded as VA had a duty to assist with an examination.

The Veteran's death was not service connected, and the Appellant filed for nonservice-connected burial benefits more than two years after the Veteran's death. The claim is denied as it was untimely.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of complete non-VA hospital records from emergency room visits for high fevers, which may be relevant to the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran needs an VA Aid and Attendance Examination to assess his service-connected disabilities' impact on self-care.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's chronic back pain is related to his military service. The claim will be reviewed again with additional medical examination.

The Veteran did not serve during a period of war for pension purposes, so the claim for survivor pension benefits is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date earlier than March 9, 2023, for service connection of bilateral hip strains and back injury. The decision found no CUE in the April 2015 rating decision that denied these claims.