Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatocellular carcinoma is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development. The appeal also includes a request for service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act, which is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for bowel incontinence and urinary incontinence due to service-connected cognitive disorder and mood disorder with left frontal encephalomalacia due to TBI have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a chronic disorder manifested by these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for Behcet's disease, associated oral aphthae (mouth ulcers), and uveitis as the appellant's conditions pre-existed his military service and did not worsen during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's myasthenia gravis is related to service, specifically exposure at Fort McClellan. The examiner did not consider the potential triggering of autoimmune diseases like myasthenia by herbicide agent or toxic waste exposures.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development and lack of compliance with previous remand directives. A new VA examination is required, including a review of the Veteran's Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) which indicates participation in a TERA during active service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's right long finger injury prior to June 12, 2021 and in excess of 10 percent from that date. The maximum allowable rating under Diagnostic Code 5229 is 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's military service discharge may constitute a bar to VA benefits due to misconduct. The case is remanded for further investigation of relevant personnel records and any related materials.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's skin condition, but has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed skin conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to comply with the duty to assist, specifically obtaining outstanding treatment records and conducting a new medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gout, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's rhomboid muscle strain of the left side, including his chronic thoracic strain, was rated at 40 percent effective March 15, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's neck condition is still under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and unexplained bleeding, to include endometriosis, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and provide an opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service military sexual assault (MST) and her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary fibrosis and immunosuppressed condition as secondary to service-connected pulmonary fibrosis. The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for hairy cell leukemia is remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and release of private medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including hammer digit syndrome, metatarsalgia, heel spur syndrome, fat pad atrophy, and bunions, is granted as service connected. His tinnitus is also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal of the issues regarding the proper effective dates for payment of dependents Wahneta and Raeanne. As a result, these appeals are dismissed.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 19, 2011 for the grant of service connection for other specified trauma and stressor disorder. The Veteran's claim was initially denied in multiple rating decisions before being granted with this effective date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of scleroderma and if it is related to his service at Camp Lejeune. A VA examination will be scheduled for this purpose.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran's colon cancer was caused by in-service exposure to non-ionizing or ionizing radiation, and to consider new evidence submitted.

The Board denied service connection for a prostate disorder, diagnosed as benign prostatic hyperplasia, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.