Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's CAD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2015. A TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's request for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on July 25 and 26, 2015, at St. Patrick Hospital (SPH) is denied as he did not receive VA health care within the 24-month period preceding the emergency treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely than not related to an injury sustained during her inactive duty training in July 2008.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right thumb disability was granted, but he is now challenging the assigned noncompensable (0 percent) rating. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right thumb disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for endometriosis was originally denied in March 2010 due to lack of a diagnosis. The claim is now reopened with new evidence showing a current diagnosis of endometriosis, but the Board has decided to remand the issue for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the file and the Veteran's request for a remand. The issues of TDIU and DEA benefits are now subject to further review with consideration of all relevant contents of the claims-file.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for post-operative small bowel obstruction residuals and hematuria due to insufficient examination opinions regarding their relationship to service. Additional development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's skin disability, claimed as rash on legs and arms, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence is at least in balance that this condition is related to his verified in-service exposure.

The Veteran's gynecological disability claim is remanded for additional development, and her acquired psychiatric disability claim is also remanded due to the inextricability of the issues. The VA examiner will be asked to determine if the current endometritis diagnosis is the same as the one diagnosed during service.

The Veteran's child, D.B., is seeking additional dependency compensation due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18. The VA has not obtained all pertinent evidence from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and must do so. The Veteran needs to provide any supporting evidence such as school records or employment records.

The Veteran's anterior maxillary fracture is currently rated under Diagnostic Code (DC) 9905, which does not account for his symptoms of pain and limited motion. The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination that considers these factors.

The Board denied service connection for diverticulitis and a prostate disorder, finding that the evidence did not establish a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for his left thumb fracture is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2016 VA examination report and the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's child does not meet the criteria for benefits under 38 U.S.C. �� 1805, 1815, 1821, or 1822 due to lack of spina bifida and her mother being a Vietnam Veteran.

The Board found that the debt resulting from an overpayment of VA educational assistance benefits was validly created, despite some disputes and disagreements. The Veteran's appeal regarding the validity of the debt was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of April 18, 2018, for his service-connected index finger and long finger limitation of motion disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition aggravated his residuals of a left great toe injury. The case will be returned for further development and an additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's muscle condition is found to be a symptom of her already service-connected lumbar spine IVDS disability and not a separate diagnosis. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a muscle condition is denied.

The Veteran's blood clotting disorder is remanded for further review due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of his condition and whether VA provided proper care.

The Veteran's daughters, L.R., Y.R., and G.R., have been diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy prior to attaining the age of 18. Their disability has progressively worsened over the years. The VA needs to obtain SSA records for their children and invite them to submit additional evidence regarding their inability to self-support.