Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's tonsil cancer and its relation to his service-connected conditions, including potential Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder, finding that there was no evidence of loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible without loss of continuity or due to trauma or disease. The Veteran's teeth were restored and remain in proper function.

The Veteran and her spouse R.P. both claimed dependency benefits for the Veteran, but there is no record of a claim being filed by R.P. The Board orders that VA attempts to obtain any records from Fort Bragg VA office regarding the April 2017 submission of a VA Form 21-686c.

The Board has granted service connection for gout of the bilateral wrists, fingers and toes, finding that it is related to active-duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a colon disability, including residuals of resection of colon mass and right hemicolectomy. The Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for left elbow injury residuals was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher rating within one year prior to the July 25, 2018, date of claim.

The Veteran's service-connected sympathetic dysfunction with hyperhidrosis and facial flushing are being remanded for further development to assess the severity of these conditions, their impact on employment, and to provide clarity in rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right and left foot conditions due to the need for clarification on the nature and etiology of these conditions, particularly in relation to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip trochanteric bursitis and left hip trochanteric bursitis, finding that these conditions were caused by an in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's former spouse A. was removed from his VA compensation award effective April 1, 2012, and the current spouse S. may not be added to his VA compensation award earlier than July 25, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right front upper thigh injury, finding that there was no in-service event and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left inguinal hernia warrants a rating of 10 percent, but no higher. The scar associated with his scrotal laceration is also rated at 10 percent, but no higher.

The Board has granted service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) based on direct evidence linking the condition to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's breast cancer treatment is ongoing and she currently receives a 100% disability rating. The temporary total disability ratings for surgery or convalescence are denied as the hospitalization was not required, and no convalescence was prescribed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left elbow disability and his service-connected left shoulder strain. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for alcohol and substance abuse/dependence due to lack of current diagnosis and failure to meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected Barrett's esophagus with a hiatal hernia is remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board denied the appeal as the reduction in VA disability compensation benefits due to concurrent receipt of military service drill pay for a period of eight days in December 2015 during FY 2016 was deemed proper.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to esophageal cancer, which is presumed related to his service in Southwest Asia and exposure to burn pits. The PACT Act expanded the presumptive conditions to include gastrointestinal cancers like esophageal cancer.