Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left hip disability, including labral tears of the femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, has not met the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially and materially to his development of lymphoma, which was the primary cause of death. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has decided that the character of the appellant's discharge from active service needs to be reviewed further, and thus remanded for additional information.

The Board denied service connection for a neurological disorder of the right lower extremity as there is no evidence of a separate and distinct disability from the Veteran's already service-connected right hip/femoral head stress fracture residuals.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and hallux rigidus are rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for unilateral hallux valgus and hallux rigidus. The appeal for increased rating for hemorrhoids has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for bilateral dupuytren's contracture and the rating of PTSD, Barrett's esophagus, and hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for TDIU and SMC based on aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of additional dependency allowance for his spouse, H.S., is being remanded due to conflicting notifications and a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran must be provided proper notice in compliance with 38 U.S.C. § 5104.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot condition, left leg condition (to include shin splints and/or compartment syndrome), and costochondritis as the Veteran did not have these conditions at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's drill days and drill pay in FY 2015, as well as an audit of his VA compensation account. The AOJ needs to verify the Veteran's drill status and provide a comprehensive paid and due audit.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic lung carcinoma, which is presumed to be associated with herbicide agent exposure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected left varicocele and skin disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and pending matters related to N.B.'s pension restoration. The issue of apportionment for I.B., the Veteran's daughter, is also on hold.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's chest pain disorder began during service or is related to an incident of service. The Veteran contends that his chest wall pain was incurred in service, but VA examiners have not provided adequate opinions on this issue.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a completed VA Form 21-8940, which assesses his employment status.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sternoclavicular joint disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a spine condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip gluteal tendinopathy as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeal regarding her fibrocystic breast disease with scarring of the right side status post lumpectomy is being remanded due to outstanding records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disability was incurred during combat-related operations and is therefore exempt from recoupment of severance pay, thus granting the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The issue of TDIU is remanded.