Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by in-service exposure to cleaning agents. The appeal is not about accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the procedural steps for a contested claim have not been completed, and thus this matter is remanded to ensure compliance with special procedural regulations.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided at Palmetto Health of Tuomey on December 19, 2016 was denied because he did not receive VA treatment within the required 24-month period prior to the episode of care.

The Veteran's cause of death, glioblastoma multiforme, is determined to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. As a result, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's authorized representative has withdrawn the appeal, so it is dismissed.

The Veteran's right facial numbness was initially rated at 10 percent prior to January 8, 2020 and granted a 30 percent rating from that date.,The decision does not address service connection or any exposure basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability characterized by a low-grade recurring fever and a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI), finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of HIV, as additional relevant records have been associated with his file and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for lupus erythematosus due to incomplete opinions and need for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral flat foot condition, finding that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by service and continuing to cause symptoms since service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 60 percent for back impairment, effective from February 1, 2017 to June 26, 2018, was granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right Achilles Tendon Disability may be service connected on a secondary basis due to his service-connected back and bilateral knee disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for gallbladder removal is denied as there was no formal or informal application between the June 1995 final decision and December 9, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an esophageal disorder and a rating in excess of 40 percent for a neurological disorder, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune is conceded, and he contends his esophageal disorders are related to this exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bowel or rectal disorder was caused by service. The Veteran needs a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cholangiocarcinoma is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The claim will be evaluated on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disorder was caused or aggravated by service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The appeal is now pending with the DROC.

The Veteran's minor children, Q.P. and B.P., are seeking an apportionment of the Veteran's VA disability compensation due to financial hardship. The case is remanded for compliance with contested claims procedures including providing the Veteran with the contents of his substantive appeal, requesting updated child support information, and obtaining completed VA Forms 21-0788 from both parties.

The Board has granted service connection for dizziness and a patent foramen ovale (PFO), finding that the current disability is directly related to service.