Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding earlier effective dates for dependency benefits for the Veteran's spouse and stepchild as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the severity of the left varicocele disability, including whether other manifestations such as testicular hypofunction are present. The Veteran will have another opportunity to submit outstanding relevant medical records.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 20, 2004 for the award of service connection for fecal incontinence and neurogenic bladder as complications of diabetes. The Veteran was found to have been entitled to these benefits since that date.

The Board denied the termination of VA compensation benefits during the Veteran's period of active duty from June 1, 2011 to December 17, 2011 due to an overpayment of $2,363.63.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right little finger disability had a continued diagnosis of ankylosis during the appeal period, and if so, whether it resulted in limitation of motion of other digits or interference with overall function of the hand. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for tumor of the spine and its secondary conditions due to inadequate opinions regarding herbicide agent exposure and Camp Lejeune exposures.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess any facial injury residuals and determine if they are related to service. The right great toe condition is granted an initial rating of 20 percent from December 13, 2016.

The Board has decided that the reduction of nonservice-connected pension benefits from February 1, 2008 was proper and remanded to allow for further evidence regarding the Veteran's income.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity condition, finding no current diagnosis of such a condition and thus no basis to grant service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hand and left ankle conditions, which may be related to rheumatic fever. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU are both remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, completion of a VA Form 21-8940, and a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current right hand disability, including tendonitis. The case will be reviewed again with consideration of a new VA medical opinion that addresses the October 2015 VA treatment record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran's bilateral elbow disorder is being reviewed again for a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for left breast carcinoma chemotherapy residuals, including oral cavity abnormalities and dental caries, finding that the disability is related to the Veteran's service-connected left breast carcinoma.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating based on the right foot surgery performed on October 3, 2018 due to severe post-operative residuals necessitating continued use of a knee scooter.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, requiring further development including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a non-VA medical facility from October 24, 2016 to October 31, 2016 and December 1, 2016 is denied as there is no indication that the Veteran incurred any cost for these services.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's paraplegia of his bilateral upper extremities is not related to his service-connected cervical strain, but an addendum opinion is needed to address whether it is aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for healed fracture deformity of the right hand, third metacarpal is denied. The case is remanded for further examination and evaluation regarding the right knee strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, finding that his vision issues are only refractive errors and not compensable.