Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to determine the current status of the Veteran's left hand disability and to obtain a VA examination for his lumbar spine DDD. The issues on appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity of a skin rash beginning during service and occurring after separation from service. The Board also found that there is no competent medical opinion to the contrary.

The Board denied a separate compensable disability rating for nuclear sclerotic cataract and BRVO of the Veteran's right eye, finding that the condition is associated with his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran has visual acuity correctable to 20/40 or better, and there are no documented incapacitating episodes or visual field defects.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reimbursement under the Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA or Chapter 35) educational assistance program for licensing and certification examinations from American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE). The tests were not approved under VA regulations, and the appeals period was too long to be considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and clarification of opinions regarding service connection for left side mastectomy residuals, including its relationship to gynecomastia and potential TERA exposure. The Veteran's lung cancer is also considered in determining the etiology of his gynecomastia.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cause of death due to newly received evidence, but denied the claim as there is no direct or secondary service connection.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chest pain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating based on muscle impairment.

The appeal for service connection for cause of death is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's anemia is caused or aggravated by his service-connected liver disability, colitis, or diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shin splints, finding that the Veteran's condition began in service and continues to present.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and further examination is needed to determine if obesity, caused by service-connected disabilities, served as an intermediate step in causing the Veteran's varicose veins.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right elbow conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current elbow conditions and his active service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded both the stroke and anemia claims due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining medical opinions related to herbicide agent exposure and service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is granted service connection as a result of exposure to chemicals during his active-duty military service, specifically due to his Persian Gulf service. This decision is effective from the date of the grant.

The Board has decided the case is not resolved and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's brain cancer was caused by his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has ordered a remand to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected gastritis, as previous examinations did not include necessary diagnostic tests.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its remand directives and has therefore ordered the claims for service connection for left hallux valgus, right hallux valgus, and bilateral hammer toes to be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's skin conditions are not related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,There is no current intestinal disability associated with the Veteran's service. The benign polyps were removed before the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left inguinal hernia from May 26, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under DC 7338. The right inguinal hernia issue is remanded due to lack of an opinion on whether it is aggravated by the service-connected left inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right arm disability and scars was denied. He also received a grant of TDIU.