Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right-side stroke is not service-connected and has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for his left varicocele and entitlement to TDIU prior to February 13, 2009 are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board remand instructions. The RO is instructed to consider the criteria laid out in DC 7120 as a potential analogous rating for the Veteran's left varicocele during readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted. He is now rated at 70 percent from October 11, 2022.,His previous claims for an earlier effective date and increased ratings are denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for DDD, anterolisthesis arthritis, and facet arthropathy arthritis as it has been granted by a February 2023 rating decision. The appeal for left eye cataracts with conjunctiva pinguecula was denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bladder incontinence was withdrawn by the appellant before a decision could be made.

The Board has granted service connection for cardiomyopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected healed right femur fracture with retained IM nail loosening is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected respiratory condition, manifested by pulmonary nodule, shortness of breath, and dyspnea on exertion, is granted. For the entire appeal period, an initial disability rating of 40 percent for a low back disability is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding drill days in FY 2009 and the need for verification of pay records. The Veteran's claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the left leg varicose veins condition.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of DIC benefits was not properly created and is remanding for further action, including a determination on whether it was due to sole VA administrative error.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder, mixed type, has been rated at 70 percent since the rating period on appeal. The Board found that his symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right foot disorder.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 40 percent rating for shrapnel wound left buttock, as the reduction was improper due to lack of evidence showing improvement in the condition.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of disability compensation is remanded due to new service personnel records being added to the claims file. The AOJ needs to review these records before deciding whether to restore benefits from October 19, 2010, to February 14, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lymphedema of the lower extremities resulting from a prostatectomy at the Detroit VAMC was denied as there is no evidence that the surgery caused the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left canine dental surgery as there is no evidence of a current disability in the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rectal disorder was reopened and granted, with the Board finding that the evidence supports a link between the current condition and in-service symptoms. The Board gave benefit of doubt to the Veteran's account of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's right hip strain (extension) is rated at 0 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right hip strain (flexion) is rated at 0 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right hip strain (impairment) is rated at 10 percent, as it meets the criteria for this rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to discrepancies in the VA examiner's findings regarding the severity of the Veteran's Crohn's disease symptoms and their impact on his quality of life.