Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's calluses of both feet are rated at 30 percent, the maximum for severe symptoms with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities. The appeal is denied as a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stroke and visual field defect due to new and material evidence. The issues are remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if these conditions began during ACDUTRA or are related to exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied service connection for eye disabilities, including epiretinal membrane, ptosis, astigmatism, and presbyopia, as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's active service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral foot condition was aggravated by her service. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address a July 2015 medical opinion from Dr. L.S., which noted that warfarin dosing in the Veteran's case was not optimal and likely contributed to a potentially-avoidable bleeding complication.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of cataracts due to additional development being needed, including obtaining an opinion on the synergistic effect of toxic exposure risk activities and considering the relationship between diabetes mellitus and cataracts.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and opinion addressing the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as well as their impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand, with limitation of motion of the little finger, has been denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to non-compliance with a previous Court order, specifically regarding range of motion assessments and whether muscle group injuries are extensions of his right hip disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran suffered an additional disability as a result of the January 19, 2011 procedures. The VA must obtain and review all relevant records from VISTA imaging and provide addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to inadequate opinions and missing records, specifically the informed consent document from October 28, 2015.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for cerebrovascular accident from June 12, 2011 to December 31, 2011. The issue of service connection for left eye visual problem as a residual of cerebrovascular accident is remanded. A compensable rating for residuals of thoracotomy scar is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a spinal cord injury, finding that there is no evidence showing such condition manifested during or within one year after service and not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran, stating that they were legally divorced and had not remarried at the time of his death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to December 3, 2012, for adding dependent spouse.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for limitation of flexion and extension of the left hip prior to August 4, 2022 have been denied.,An initial compensable rating for impairment of the left thigh has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral eye pterygium was denied, but she is granted a separate 10 percent rating for active chronic conjunctivitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colon cancer and liver cancer due to Agent Orange exposure, as there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 12, 2019 is remanded due to unclear employment history and inconsistencies in the claims file.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability should be remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.