Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to her exposure to burn pits in service, as she contends that her ulcerative colitis, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and adhesions of the right fallopian tube are related to this exposure. The VA examinations and opinions provided were deemed inadequate for adjudication purposes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, including whether service-connected conditions or other exposures caused his death.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right inguinal hernia and has remanded issues regarding service connection for duodenal ulcer and hepatitis C. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain additional VA treatment records and schedule a new examination.

The Board has determined that the withholding of VA disability compensation for drill pay days in FY 2010 and FY 2014 was proper, with adjustments made as necessary. The Veteran's appeal is denied or dismissed accordingly.

The Veteran's bilateral chronic epididymitis, orchialgia is remanded for further evaluation due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and the need for an updated examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the alveolar ridge, finding that it is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a concussion, finding that the evidence did not support a link to in-service events and instead suggested post-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of nasal deviation and obstruction due to trauma was denied because he failed to report for the scheduled VA examination. The claim for service connection for an acquired sleep disorder, secondary to his service-connected nasal disability, was also denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.

The Veteran's right elbow disability, including a fracture and DJD, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not support a finding of more than 20 percent impairment.

The Veteran is denied additional compensation benefits for his son, C.S., as he did not meet the criteria for school-aged child status based on school attendance.

The Veteran's left foot disability, specifically the bunionette status post left little toe fracture and osteotomy surgery with metatarsalgia, is granted a rating of 20 percent prior to January 4, 2023, and remains at that level after January 4, 2023.

The Veteran's autoimmune condition (ankylosing spondylitis) with manifestations of fatigue is granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to her service-connected hiatal hernia and chronic active gastritis with H-pylori and abdominal pain. The Veteran needs a new VA examination, and all outstanding VA treatment records should be associated with the case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorders due to incomplete records and lack of a medical opinion addressing his in-service running activities. The case is now pending again with instructions to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Board denied the waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits, finding that it would not be against equity and good conscience to require the Veteran's surviving spouse to repay the debt.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin rash disability, finding that the Veteran's condition is a diagnosable but medically unexplained chronic multisystem illness of unknown etiology. The claim was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining records from VA and clarifying who paid for the expenses related to the last sickness and burial of the Appellant's mother.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder) and dental disabilities, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to his current conditions. The claim for treatment purposes was also denied due to lack of evidence of an in-service trauma.

The Board's decision to remand the TDIU issue prior to December 29, 2000 is vacated due to a lack of due process as the Veteran was not provided sufficient time to submit additional argument or evidence.