Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of prostatitis, and the Board granted this request.

The claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran's death claimed as due to VA medical treatment is denied because new and relevant evidence was not received.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for an effective date of June 30, 2023, for Level One benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). This decision is based on the fact that all criteria for awarding Level One benefits were satisfied as of this date.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left maxillary sinus and its related secondary disabilities, including facial bone loss, jaw disability, epistaxis, bilateral dry eye syndrome, left eye epiphora, carotid artery occlusion, and a dental disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the initial determination denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was not adequate and requires further review, specifically a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's service period from October 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005. The VA needs clarification from DoD on whether this period qualifies as active duty service for purposes of entitlement to Chapter 33 educational benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for payment or reimbursement of ambulance transportation expenses incurred on October 17, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for insomnia was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his request before the decision was made.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings in excess of 30 percent and 10 percent for radial nerve injury and right hand injury, respectively, due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot hammertoes and left foot hammertoes are not rated as compensable. The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus is also not rated as compensable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inextricability of his dependent child recognition claim with other pending service connection claims. The issue will be reconsidered after any further development.

The Veteran's testicular cancer and its residuals are granted service connection under the PACT Act due to exposure to burn pits. The direct service connection claim is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's loss of sense of smell and frontal sinus fracture were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for left knee injury was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for BPH prior to August 10, 2022 was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his active service.,Service connection for loss of vision secondary to diabetes mellitus was also denied due to lack of a causal link between the conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left foot lis franc injury with fusion and residual arthritis, effective from September 14, 2017. The decision finds that the symptoms are severe but do not result in total loss of use of the left foot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to missing a previously scheduled VA examination. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations to determine his right foot condition and the severity of his left metacarpal bone fracture.

The Board found that the overpayment of Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits in the amount of $2,232.67 was not properly created and granted the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service, and requests verification from the Military Records Research Center (MRRC).

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for chondromalacia patella of the left and right knees have been dismissed as there was no valid appeal submitted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, specifically obtaining SSA disability records. The appeal will not be addressed until these records are obtained.