Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected left foot remote injury and right foot fracture residuals are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left chest wall disability, including on an extraschedular basis, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination report. The case will be further examined and evaluated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteochondroma, left tibia is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected nephrolithiasis is granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence supports these claims. The appeals are granted in part.

The Board has denied the petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of an abdominal disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received since the last denial in February 2009.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, indicating satisfaction with his current awards and requesting to withdraw the pending claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand arthritis due to the Veteran's service-connected SLE. The cases of hiatal hernia and SLE are remanded as there were issues with the reasoning provided.

The Veteran's cause of death due to esophageal cancer is remanded for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service exposure to herbicide agents and his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the creation and waiver of an overpayment. The AOJ is to perform an 'Award Audit' to calculate the final amount of the debt, including a period when the Veteran apparently received no payments. They are also to consider if a request for waiver of the debt may be made at that time.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for right eye disability, including exposure during military service.

The Board denied service connection for oropharyngeal cancer, finding the evidence did not support a link to active service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's private and VA medical opinions were against his claim.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% rating for bladder dysfunction, finding that the reduction from 20% to 0% was not proper and void ab initio.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right inguinal hernia is secondary to his service-connected left inguinal hernia. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection and initial evaluation for his left index finger, neck disorder, and left foot disorders. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the appellant's appeal as her substantive appeal was untimely filed, and thus she did not perfect a timely appeal of the October 2014 Regional Office decision regarding death pension, DIC, and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's femur fracture fixation with intramedullary rod and screws with right hip strain is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5253. The effective date for service connection of painful scars of the right lower extremity remains prior to March 17, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of verification regarding the Veteran's full-time enrollment status during his Fall 2012 semester at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The Veteran needs to provide transcripts and other records from his school to verify this information.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's mild centrilobular emphysematous is related to his service, including exposure to asbestos and second-hand smoke.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand disability is denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability that began during active service or was related to an in-service injury. The appeal for left hand disability is remanded.