Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for adding his spouse and stepchildren as dependents was denied because the earliest date of receipt for a claim is shown to be January 12, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome, result from the same etiology and accident in service. The Board finds that her functional limitations due to these conditions preclude her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 21, 2016.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for bilateral shin splints was denied as there is no probative medical evidence showing that the condition was incurred in-service.

The Veteran's daughter, B.A., was removed from the Veteran's award of additional dependency benefits effective June 1, 2014, following her graduation from high school. The Veteran has submitted information in an effort to qualify for additional dependency benefits within one year of B.A.'s commencement of her master's degree course of studies. The case is remanded for VA to attempt to obtain legible copies of any records verifying B.A.'s school attendance.

The appeal for TDIU was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's duodenal carcinoma, which caused his death in February 2008, was not related to his service or exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a nexus between the cancer and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed pulmonary disabilities, including whether they are related to service or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for gunshot wound muscle injury residuals and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $17,503.92 in VA dependency benefits was validly created and denied the Veteran's appeal regarding its validity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis due to new and material evidence submitted since the June 1982 rating decision. However, the case is remanded as a VA medical opinion is needed to address whether the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain necessary authorizations and verify H.J.'s attendance at Hillsborough Community College for specific terms.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral inguinal hernia repair.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cancer of the small intestine is related to service, including his conceded herbicide exposure. An addendum opinion from a VA examiner is required.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is rated at 30 percent from April 7, 2019 to April 30, 2021 and denied for a higher rating prior to that period. The reduction of the rating was proper but restoration is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral eye disability is related to service-connected conditions or presumed herbicide exposure. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left little finger DIP joint ankylosing with deformity, finding that the disability is adequately contemplated by the applicable rating criteria and does not warrant extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service connection for a neurological disability of the lower right extremity is granted. However, his request for an increased rating for duodenal ulcer and compensation for impairment of the right femur are denied. The case is remanded to evaluate these issues further.

The Veteran's need for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another or due to being housebound is remanded as he has not been evaluated for these needs.

The Veteran's urticaria is granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective from May 17, 2007. The Board found that the condition required second-line treatment throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hallux valgus, left great toe was denied. The Board found that the claim had been previously addressed and adjudicated in a final decision.,Both claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for herpes zoster with facial scarring and post-herpetic neuralgia were remanded due to procedural issues.