Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for arthritis and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The arthritis claim is being remanded because the VA examination did not address all of the Veteran's joints, including his bilateral hips, and did not opine on whether the arthritis is related to Agent Orange exposure. The TDIU claim is held in abeyance as it is intrinsically intertwined with the arthritis claim.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection issues were decided.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including atrial fibrillation. The case is remanded to schedule an examination and determine if the condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, irregular menses, SMC prior to July 15, 2013, service connection for a throat disability secondary to GERD, and rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD due to non-compliance with previous remand orders.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for additional evidence from the Appellant.

The appeal for reimbursement of expenses incurred on September 4, 2017, and September 5, 2017 is being remanded due to missing documents.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for varicose veins of all extremities due to inadequate examination and consideration of the Veteran's arguments.

The Veteran's daughter, A.H., has received disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. The VA needs to obtain her SSA records for a complete evaluation of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left knee condition and his military service. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any private or VA treatment providers who have treated him for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left medial malleolus fracture with traumatic arthritis is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition due to indications that it has worsened.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA DIC benefits due to her divorce from the Veteran, which disqualifies her from being considered a surviving spouse.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatitis, finding that it is not related to his service or service-connected hallux valgus.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right and left leg disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of recurrent cellulitis is noted, but a VA examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether this condition is related to lower leg swelling, pain, and cellulitis during service.

The Board has determined that the appeal was erroneously docketed and is remanding the case for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC). The issues will be returned to the Board after issuance of the SOC only if perfected by the filing of a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand directive. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diverticulitis, including as due to Agent Orange exposure and secondary to his service-connected hemorrhoids, is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and the need for clarification of the Veteran's right thumb disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for arthritis of the left thumb and right middle finger were remanded, but no new rating was assigned. The current ratings remain at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with verifying the number of drill days for fiscal year 2015, as requested by previous remands. The Veteran needs to provide documentation and the VA will obtain verification from appropriate entities.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to February 7, 2013. The remand is due to incomplete medical opinions regarding functional impairment during flare-ups.