Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left thumb disability is related to service. The examiner needs to address the Veteran's lay statements about playing basketball during service and his November 2017 VA examination report.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Emergency Services and Radiology Incorporated on October 20, 2014. The decision is based on the emergent nature of the Veteran's headache pain, which was deemed a medical emergency.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability to include loss of teeth is remanded due to the need for VA to obtain private records from a dentist who conducted an examination at his April 2023 Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate prior examinations and conflicting evidence regarding employment eligibility.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot tendonitis is granted as there is evidence of an in-service diagnosis and ongoing symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a disability rating for inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nervus, and additional development is required.

The Veteran's child was born with a frontal nasal encephalocele, which is not considered spina bifida. The Board denied benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1805 for the appellant due to the incorrect belief that her condition qualifies as spina bifida.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, including bilateral dry eye syndrome and a right corneal abrasion, finding that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to issues with compliance with due process rights and eligibility determination of fees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current AZOOR syndrome was incurred during her active service, resolving all doubt in her favor.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lipoma of the neck disability is related to service. The VA examiner needs to consider post-service medical records and lay evidence suggesting a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for dry eye syndrome was denied. The case is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized expenses incurred by Electrodiagnosis & Musculoskeletal Associates of Puget Sound, as the treatment provided was not rendered in a medical emergency.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in previous remands did not address all aspects of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral cataracts. Therefore, new and updated medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's cataracts are related to her active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory/pulmonary disorder and its relation to service, specifically exposure to asbestos and benzene. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for his current condition as aggravated by his service-connected multiple myeloma.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right hand disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent, which has been in effect since June 29, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional information about the examiner's qualifications.

The Veteran's pituitary microadenoma and gynecomastia have been denied increased ratings. A separate rating of 10 percent has been granted for the residuals of gynecomastia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's myelofibrosis is at least as likely as not due to herbicide agent exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.