Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence of the Veteran's carcinoma of the esophagus during his military service or within one year after discharge, and thus denied DIC benefits based on service connection for cause of death.

The Board has restored service connection and ratings for various conditions, including loss of use of bilateral lower extremities, urinary incontinence, and bowel dysfunction. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophageal disability is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for antisocial personality disorder, finding that it is not a disease or injury for which service connection can be granted. The most probative evidence does not support the presence of an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD due to in-service aggravation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for psoriatic arthritis and remanded the issue of assigning separate ratings for eye conditions related to psoriatic arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for limitation of flexion and extension due to left patella shrapnel fragment wound, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an addendum medical opinion from a doctor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and an initial, compensable disability rating for headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether it was related to in-service exposure to Agent Orange. As a result of resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant, the claim is now granted.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA opinion on the nature and etiology of any substance abuse disorder that resulted in the Veteran's death, including whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The appellant requested to withdraw her appeal for accrued benefits, and the Board dismissed it as a result.

The Veteran's service did not qualify for wartime service, and therefore he is denied nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for status post pulmonary contusion with residual post-traumatic AVM prior to November 3, 2015 is granted. From November 3, 2015 to July 12, 2016, a 100 percent rating for obstructive sleep apnea and status post pulmonary contusion with residual post traumatic AVM (pulmonary disability) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for VA educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) Educational Assistance Program is remanded due to conflicting information regarding his eligibility. The RO must obtain and associate with the claims file any findings by DoD regarding the Veteran's eligibility, and contact DoD to confirm period(s) of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance benefits under 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and UV radiation, as well as a need for further medical opinion on whether his causes of death are related to these exposures.

The Veteran's service qualifies for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, and the Board has granted eligibility.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral inguinal hernia is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for syphilis as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or residual of the condition.