Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records, specifically dental treatment. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for their left mandible disability is now pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) due to lack of evidence showing a claim was filed within one year prior to May 23, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's excessive sweating and itching of both hands and feet are related to his service in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding obtaining VA medical records from specific facilities. The appellant seeks recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for DIC and death pension benefits, but the requested records are not available.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for revision of final rating decisions that assigned noncompensable ratings for bird shot wound residuals, finding no CUE and insufficient evidence to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about the cause of death and the need for a new VA medical opinion based on autopsy results.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for right and left lower extremity neurological disorders as well as a left shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during his military service or within one year of separation. The evidence showed no diagnosis of such conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The cause of death is attributed to rectal cancer with lung metastasis and associated complications.

The Board has decided that the appellant's claim for pension benefits should be remanded due to incomplete information provided by the appellant regarding her income and medical expenses from September 2013 to February 2019. The appellant was not given an opportunity to submit this evidence, which is necessary to determine her eligibility for pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed stomach condition, which may be related to service or his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss, finding no current disability diagnosed as such.

The Veteran's nephropathy was granted an initial rating of 60 percent prior to July 2, 2018. From July 2, 2018, the Veteran is entitled to a 80 percent rating for his nephropathy.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sphincter control disorder, bilateral finger disorder, and right hand disorder. The AOJ must obtain private medical records, SSA disability benefits records, and conduct VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to radiation in service, which is a necessary step for determining whether her uterine cancer may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address issues related to service connection, increased ratings, effective dates, and TDIU.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease from April 27, 2022. The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate the criteria for this rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sickle cell trait is a congenital defect or disease, and if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits should be remanded due to insufficient review of his income and medical expenses since 2016.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of multiple concussions and a respiratory disability, but denied both on the merits. The claim for residuals of multiple concussions was not granted as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's current condition had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service. The claim for a respiratory disability was also denied due to lack of evidence establishing a current diagnosis.