Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's spouse, L., and his children, V. and M., were added as dependents to his award of VA disability compensation effective February 19, 2006. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for right hand strain, as well as separate ratings for her index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger disabilities from May 1, 2020 to October 30, 2022, was denied. The current effective date is not specified.

The Board denied an entitlement to an initial extraschedular rating in excess of 20 percent for right foot Achilles tendon rupture, finding that the schedular criteria adequately described the severity and symptoms of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected closed fracture distal phalanx left 5th finger disability has been rated under Diagnostic Code 5230 for limitation of motion. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's range of motion was normal, with no evidence of pain or functional loss due to repetitive use over time. As such, a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's ptosis of the left upper eyelid does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating from November 19, 2007 to November 14, 2016.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a stomach disability, to include as secondary to cancer of the esophagus and/or GERD, due to inadequate examination in September 2023.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Lyme disease as there is no evidence of current disability or residuals attributable to this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate findings regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA and private treatment records, and a new VA examination will be conducted.

The Veteran's bicipital tendonitis of the right and left shoulders has been granted an initial 20 percent rating, effective March 26, 2016.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted, but the issue of an initial higher rating remains under review.

The Board found that the Veteran's July 31, 2017 substantive appeal on a VA Form 9 was untimely filed and denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a maxillary disability, sinus disability, and face/jaw disability (claimed as nerve damage in face and jaw). The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining VA and/or private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's service during a qualifying period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA, and for a VA medical opinion on whether any diagnosed left eye disability was incurred during such periods.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address whether his eye twitch and heart condition are related to the August 2010 right internal carotid endarterectomy procedure, and if so, whether it was caused by carelessness or negligence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic pain, as they believe a VA examination is needed to determine if this condition is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for restless leg syndrome, specifically whether it is secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's exposure in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait is also a factor.

A 10 percent rating for left hip impingement with limitation of extension was granted from October 19, 2015 to November 29, 2021.,Higher ratings were assigned for the right hip conditions starting from November 29, 2021.,A TDIU was granted prior to May 26, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a cardiovascular disorder is being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding whether PTSD, sleep apnea, and/or hypertension caused or aggravated his CV disorder.

The Veteran's prostate hypertrophy was denied as not related to service, and the issue of bilateral lower extremity varicose veins is remanded for further development.,Service connection for prostate hypertrophy was denied due to lack of evidence linking current condition to service. The claim for bilateral lower extremity varicose veins is pending and will be reviewed again.