Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions in prior decisions. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent to his VA disability compensation award on September 1, 2017. The Board denied an earlier effective date because the Veteran did not submit a claim for dependents benefits within one year of being notified that he could be eligible.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for an adequate VA examination from an Oncologist or Urologist. The issues are whether the Veteran's testicular cancer is linked to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or prostate cancer.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the left inguinal hernia claim, and as a result, the case has been dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral elbow strains are currently rated at 10 percent each, as the limitation of flexion does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 5206.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is now considered to be the surviving spouse of the Veteran, and could receive death pension benefits. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Appellant's income and expenses.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to be recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA benefits purposes because she was legally divorced from the Veteran at the time of his death.

The termination of the Veteran's benefits due to fugitive felon status, effective December [REDACTED], 2001, was proper.,The reduction of the Veteran's compensation benefits during his incarceration from October [REDACTED], 2006, through December [REDACTED], 2006, was also proper.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome of the feet, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding a diagnosed bilateral bicep disorder, including tendonitis. Further development is needed for an adequate examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected bronchiectasis is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made.

The Board dismissed the claims for VA compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for heart attack/open heart surgery, denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, and denied service connection for PTSD secondary to heart attack/open heart surgery due to a settlement agreement related to the Veteran's heart disability.

The Veteran is requesting that he be paid additional compensation benefits for his daughter L. during the 2014 school year when she was attending college, but has not been properly compensated.

The Veteran's claim for additional compensation based on school attendance for his daughter, L.C., from January 1, 2014 to May 1, 2014 is denied as she had a break in her school attendance during this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's heart disorder, which is related to his service-connected disabilities and medications.

The Veteran's right leg disability, characterized by limited flexion and painful extension, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that the current rating adequately reflects his functional limitations.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The reduction of the rating for Crohn's disease from 60 percent to 30 percent was improper, and the 60 percent rating is restored.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition (heel spurs) as it is at least in equipoise that the condition started during active service and had continuity to the present.