Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left pectoral major tear is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms are more severe than what this rating currently reflects.

The Veteran's breast cancer, a disease presumptively due to in-service exposure to burn pits and other Persian Gulf environmental hazards, is granted as the cause of her death. The effective date for this grant is not specified as it falls within the scope of the PACT Act.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to asbestos and other hazardous materials during his naval service. As such, the claim for service connection for PLS is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's ruptured left Achilles tendon and whether a separate or higher rating is warranted under Diagnostic Code 5271. The TDIU claim also requires additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral neurological disability of the lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his in-service knee disabilities or any other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a panic disorder is granted as new and material evidence has been received, and the Board finds that her current diagnosis of panic disorder is causally related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of urinary incontinence prior to December 15, 2017 is denied as the first claim was filed on December 15, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment was dismissed because the appeal is not about service connection, but rather a non-periodic personal benefit that does not survive death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left hand finger conditions due to a lack of review of his medical records and recent diagnosis.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's shrapnel wound in the right front forehead, finding that the evidence did not show at least moderate incomplete paralysis or any other symptoms rising to the level of a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 8207.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to TDIU due to a lack of substantial compliance with its December 2022 remand order. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's income since 2010 through an Income Verification Match (IVM) and notify him if any information in the IVM is incorrect.

Your claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been fully granted, and the Board is dismissing your appeal as there are no longer any issues in controversy.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the Veteran's residuals of left mandible fracture with TMJ from September 10, 2017. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed chronic pain disorder, which may be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right leg for the period from March 28, 2011 to October 9, 2016. The Veteran needs another clinical interview and medical opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from August 2, 2018 to August 4, 2018 is remanded due to insufficient information regarding Medicare coverage and payments. The case will be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) to obtain the necessary Medicare records.

The Veteran's ganglion cysts of the left lower extremity are rated at a 20 percent rating from August 5, 2014, through May 7, 2015. The Board finds that this level of disability is appropriate given the evidence showing painful lesions.

The Veteran's cause of death, myelodysplastic syndrome (acute myelogenous leukemia), is due to herbicide agent exposure in service and therefore service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lakewood Hospital from November 15, 2011 to November 17, 2011 are now covered by VA due to the emergency nature of his treatment and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw her appeal.