Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected post-phlebitic syndrome of the left leg has been rated at 40 percent, but no greater. The Board found that he meets the criteria for a 40 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7121 due to persistent edema and stasis pigmentation in his left lower extremity. However, there is no evidence of ulcerations or massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest associated with his condition. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service in the U.S. Army reserves did not meet the minimum duration requirements for VA home loan guaranty benefits eligibility, as he did not have at least 6 years of active participation in training or drills.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's vision condition, finding that it was not caused by active duty or Reserve service and is unrelated to his pituitary tumor.

The Veteran's service as a cadet at Marion Military Institute did not qualify him for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance benefits because it was not considered active duty service. The Board found that the Veteran had no qualifying periods of active-duty service after September 10, 2001.

The Veteran's appeals for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's left hip arthritis and gluteus medius tendinopathy were not found to be related to service or a service-connected disability, leading to denial of these claims. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating for lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sebaceous carcinoma of the head and squamous cell carcinoma of the head have been granted due to the PACT Act, which establishes presumptive service connection based on in-service exposure. The rating assigned has not yet been determined.

The Board has granted service connection for kyphosis of the spine and arthritis of the spine, finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left elbow injury residuals and chronic left triceps denervation was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's skin disorder and its relation to service. The appellant needs to provide private medical records from Dr. K at Carolina Skin Care, and a dermatologist should conduct an examination to determine if his current skin condition is related to his reported symptoms in service.

The Board denied service connection for infertility, concluding that it is not possible to determine if the Veteran was infertile before menopause due to a condyloma infection and related surgery during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further evaluation of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical evidence regarding the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, specifically whether it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), and whether it is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's HIV and osteopenia/osteoporosis are granted as service connection is established due to the identified risk factors during service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute myeloid leukemia, is found to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information provided by the Veteran regarding her employment and income. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's mass on the left side of his neck is not service-connected, and a remand is ordered to determine if there is any link between the condition and exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for difficulty breathing as residual of or secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI) because the diffusion defect, diagnosed on a pulmonary function test, is not related to the Veteran's TBI and does not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including due to herbicide and/or asbestos exposure, has been reopened. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed pneumonia, which is secondary to his service-connected HIV.