Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left lower leg muscle injury (fibular exostosis and compartment syndrome) is granted a 20% rating for the period prior to November 22, 2022. A higher rating is denied from that date forward.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, and nasal cancer due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to gastric cancer, which the VA has conceded was caused by exposure to herbicide agents. However, there is uncertainty about whether his Asbestos exposure also contributed to his gastric cancer. The Board has ordered a retrospective medical opinion to clarify this.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts in obtaining private treatment records and an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether sinus bradycardia, noted during service, is related to current arrhythmia.

The Veteran's appeal for medical reimbursement has been dismissed as he withdrew his request prior to the Board hearing.

The Veteran's radiculitis of the left lower extremity was denied higher ratings, with a final rating of 40 percent prior to December 12, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic left shoulder disorder, chronic right shoulder disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic left foot disorder have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic right shoulder disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have also been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral leg compartment syndrome is rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximate moderately severe impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of a common-law marriage between the appellant and the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his ratings for left thigh disability, hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran's periodontal disease, missing teeth, and bone loss are due to in-service dental treatment/trauma. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for numbness in fingertips of his left hand, finding no evidence that it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and total replacement, is granted with a rating of 60 percent effective May 1, 2018. The extension of the temporary total convalescence rating from February 13, 2012, to June 4, 2012, for his left knee replacement surgery is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck disorder did not manifest in and is not otherwise related to his active service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's segmental pulmonary fibrosis was caused by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder, and the claim for service connection is granted. The need for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or for being housebound is also granted.

The Board has remanded two claims for additional development: one for a higher rating for limited extension of the right elbow and another for a higher rating for limited flexion. The Veteran's service-connected epicondylitis of the right elbow is currently rated at 10 percent for limited extension and 20 percent for limited flexion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral vision loss, other than right eye keratitis. Service connection was granted for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatitis, finding that it is caused by medication necessary to manage his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound in the right foot.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his service in the Republic of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, which could affect his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased rating for rhabdomyolysis and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.