Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development and consideration of medical literature provided by the Veteran regarding his dental condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's essential tremor is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. However, due to inadequate opinions and need for additional development, the case is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vision issues as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking his vision problems to his hypertension.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and medical opinions provided in February 2023 were inadequate, as they did not comply with the remand directives. The Veteran's autoimmune disorder and cardiomyopathy claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 and 60 percent for anatomical loss of the left eye with prosthesis due to new evidence added to the record by VA. A new examination is also required.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's neck condition. A new VA addendum opinion is needed from a different clinician.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits purposes due to a lack of continuous cohabitation with the Veteran prior to his death, despite her initial acknowledgment that they had separated. The Board found the appellant's current statements inconsistent and contradictory.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of a brain condition and for a temporary total rating based on treatment necessitating convalescence due to the need for further medical examination and clarification from the Veteran.

The Veteran's disability ratings for residuals of cold weather injury to the left and right lower extremities were restored to 20 percent effective September 1, 2010.,The Veteran was denied entitlement to a higher rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed motions seeking revision of prior rating decisions for service connection and evaluation of various conditions. The case is REMANDED to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his scar disability.

The Veteran's Hodgkin's disease is granted service connection based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits. The non-Hodgkin's lymphoma issue is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for a prostate disorder and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for traumatic arthritis of the right ring finger was denied as there is no minimum compensable rating available under Diagnostic Code 5230, which pertains to limitation of motion of the ring and little fingers. The most probative evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left elbow bone and joint issues, as well as his leg piriformis syndrome. The decision is based on incomplete service treatment records and a need for an examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for additional dependency benefits based on school attendance for the Veteran's child, C., as the claim was not filed within one year of either the child's 18th birthday or the commencement of the course of study.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a liver disability as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's child, D., was added as his dependent to his award of VA disability compensation effective January 15, 2017. The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 1, 2012 for the addition of D. to the Veteran's award.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pinguecula with presbyopia, finding that it did not manifest during service and is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's residuals, status post fracture, right ring finger with degenerative DIP joint have been manifested by reduced range of motion and pain. However, the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has denied service connection for right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg disorders due to the Veteran's already service-connected fibromyalgia. The back disorder issue is remanded for a VA medical opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the service-connected left ankle strain.