Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a current disability and insufficient evidence linking any claimed conditions to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for ovarian cyst with laparoscopic drainage due to outstanding private treatment records not being on file. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed left hamstring and hip disorders.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.,Service connection is denied for underarm rash, neck rash, and facial rash as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent disabling for service-connected endometriosis to include pelvic floor tension myalgias and pelvic wall adhesions status post laparoscopy has been granted. The maximum schedular rating is assigned.

The Board dismissed the claim as service connection for right testis orchalgia was granted in a November 2022 rating decision, resulting in a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The Veteran's medical expenses for July 30-31, 2017 at Affinity Medical Center were reimbursed as the treatment was necessary due to a service-connected disability and there was no feasible VA alternative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for severe pain that is separate and distinct from his service-connected back, right knee, and right lower extremity disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of a current diagnosis of 'severe pain' distinct from his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the appellant's discharge is due to willful and persistent misconduct, which bars VA benefits. The appellant claims he was insane during service and needs further evidence to support this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, including atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and AICD, based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's urinary frequency condition is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a clavicle injury, finding that there is not clear and unmistakable evidence that the preexisting condition was aggravated by service. The current disability is considered to be due to post-traumatic changes resulting from the 1975 fracture.

The Board denied service connection for vascular disease in the left lower extremity, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain missing service treatment records, as well as private medical records. A VA examination will be conducted to determine if the appellant's right hand and little finger injuries are related to his active duty training.

The appeal for apportionment of the Veteran's benefits to the Appellant on behalf of their minor children is remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence from both parties.

The Veteran's left lower extremity shin splints are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for apportionment of his VA disability compensation benefits to his minor child was dismissed because the Veteran lacked standing and did not file a timely appeal on behalf of his son.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reinstate the apportionment of her ex-husband's VA disability compensation, finding she was not married to him at the time it was terminated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disorder and bilateral hand disorder due to deficiencies in the previous VA examinations. The new examinations are required to consider the etiology of these conditions, including their relationship to any other diagnosed disorders or obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on July 28, 2014 at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center was denied as the amount is a coinsurance payment and not eligible for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to Agent Orange exposure during his military service.