Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for the award of dependency benefits for the Veteran's spouse, R.G., as there was no evidence that VA was informed of the marriage prior to January 17, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an evaluation and TDIU due to a lack of medical examination records, unclear communication methods with the Veteran, and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling an addendum VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disability, finding that his current hand pain symptoms are not medically connected to the burns of his hands in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service dental records and a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current dental disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for endometriosis and residuals of a hysterectomy due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected residuals, right lower lung lobectomy prior to August 1, 2022 and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's right hand fracture, little finger condition is remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate January 2020 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral eye disorder due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for scars related to BCC, SCC, and SK was denied. A separate 20 percent rating was granted for painful scars on the scalp and left forehead.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the waiver of overpayment of educational assistance benefits, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his employment is considered to be marginal and does not qualify him for TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for reimbursement of $441.74 for unauthorized non-VA medical treatment provided by Holy Rosary Medical Center from June 4, 2000 to June 5, 2000. The appeal was based on a finding that VA facilities were not feasibly available at the time.

The Veteran's stepson, J.R., is not recognized as his child for VA compensation purposes due to him turning 18 years old before the marriage and the subsequent divorce.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a severe photosensitivity disability with skin cancer is granted, as the evidence shows his current condition developed during service and was aggravated by his duties.

The Board has remanded the case due to an insufficient readjudication of the issue on appeal, specifically regarding the effective date for Survivors Pension benefits. The appellant is requesting retroactive benefits from 2006.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension, increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left elbow bursitis was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of more than 20 percent disability due to limited flexion.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to November 24, 2020 and denied for any higher ratings. A TDIU was granted based on the service-connected condition.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to assess the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's varicose veins, which are currently service-connected.