Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the claim to reopen the previously denied compensation under 1151 for vitreous hemorrhage of the right eye is moot due to a prior vacatur.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to insufficient examination findings regarding the severity of his service-connected shell fragment wound right upper arm.

The Board has determined that the appellant's spouse did not have qualifying service for VA benefits and is remanding the case to allow the appellant to challenge her husband's exclusion from the reconstructed roster by submitting an application with the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR).

The Board has granted service connection for right foot hallux valgus but remanded the claim for right foot hammer toes due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to February 5, 2020 are being remanded due to the need for substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the remand requests and has therefore remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of symptoms of weight loss, fatigue, and lightheadedness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's herpes simplex is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left eye iritis is rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher initial compensable rating prior to February 25, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent from February 25, 2020, to February 5, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed systemic lupus, as there is insufficient evidence on record to determine its nature or etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for myotonic muscular dystrophy, which the Veteran claimed as peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities. The condition is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the validity of a debt created due to his incarceration, finding that the reduction in benefits was proper and not solely administrative error.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's mental health disability, specifically adjustment disorder with mixed anxious and depressed mood, as there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and active-duty service.

The Board denied the reduction of pension benefits and overpayment of nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that the debt was properly created due to the Veteran's failure to report SSA income.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance is remanded as it was improperly docketed under the modernized review system (AMA). The AOJ must issue a Statement of the Case before the Veteran can continue with his appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for brain cancer should be remanded due to a lack of an opinion regarding exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's esophagus cancer is related to his service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The examiner must provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for right femur fracture, limitation of extension; an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right femur fracture, limitation of flexion; and entitlement to TDIU due to inconsistencies with previous VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected right hip disability must be re-evaluated based on the severity of her symptoms during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's subarachnoid hemorrhage/brain aneurysm, including whether it was caused by service-connected heart disease and/or hypertension. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disabilities. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the denial of payment or reimbursement for medical expenses, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.