Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome with crest is currently rated at 60 percent, but the Board found that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there are no digital ulcers or autoamputation of one or more digits.

The Board denied service connection for Cushing's disease and colon cancer as there is no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral arterial disease of the bilateral legs, as well as temporary total disability ratings and TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease. The decision also noted that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 5, 2012 to March 8, 2016.

The Board dismissed the appeal for clothing allowance claims for 2014 and 2015 as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Appellant's request for an extension of her Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits beyond August 31, 2013 due to lack of entitlement under the law and no other basis for an extension applying in this case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issue regarding service connection for a nose disability during the April 2021 Board hearing.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of all remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for PTSD. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for somatoform disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between her current diagnosis and active duty or as secondary to her service-connected PTSD.

The appeal was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of the evidentiary record, particularly regarding VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. Additionally, a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was proximately caused by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death on a direct basis, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to establish causation due to VA medical care. The Veteran's death was attributed to transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), which is a known complication of blood transfusions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to issues with obtaining medical opinions and confirming exposure history.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues related to the appellant's discharge from service, including his request for an upgrade and challenges to entries on his DD-214. The appeal is stayed until further action by VA.

The Veteran's death pension and accrued benefits claims were denied as the appellant did not have a pending claim at the time of her husband's death, and there was no evidence that any benefits were improperly withheld due to confusion over their marital status.

The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the addition of his spouse to his VA disability compensation award is denied. The effective date remains November 7, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Addison's disease, finding that there was no evidence linking her condition to her service at Camp Lejeune or any exposure to contaminated water. The Board also found that she did not have herbicide exposure during active duty in Okinawa.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it before a decision was made.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for throat and tonsil cancer, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's current disability is not considered related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for pancreatitis, finding that the Veteran's condition did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service, including as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritis of the right knee and instability of the right knee have been denied. The rating for arthritis remains at 10 percent, while the rating for instability is denied effective May 4, 2021.