Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for surgical removal of a left undescended testicle located in the abdomen, claimed as loss of left testicle secondary to left inguinal hernia repair, and residuals of left inguinal hernia repair. The Veteran's service treatment records do not document such surgeries or any related disabilities.

The Veteran's death was not service connected, and the appellant filed her claim for nonservice-connected burial allowance more than two years after his death. The claim was denied as untimely.

The Veteran's daughter, who was married and whose marriage ended by death in 2015, is denied recognition as the helpless child of the Veteran for purposes of VA benefits due to her marriage.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left hip strain, finding that his current hip disabilities are at least as likely as not related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, records from St. Catherine Hospital and Lake County Jail were not obtained, relevant VA treatment records have not been associated with the claims file, and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities may render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, but he does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU. The claim must be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected stress fracture residuals of the left tibia was denied from August 28, 2014 to October 15, 2020. From January 1, 2018 onwards, a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee associated with the service-connected stress fracture residuals of the left tibia was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether any additional disability was caused or aggravated by VA treatment.

The Veteran's deviated nasal septum may have worsened, and he is being asked to provide a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition. The Board has also remanded for service connection of a sinus condition as secondary to his service-connected deviated septum.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection of deviated nasal septum as there is no persuasive evidence that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's HPV or herpes infection was caused by contaminated instruments used during her October 2004 colonoscopy or January 2012 hemorrhoidectomy and sigmoidoscopy procedures at the Houston VAMC.

The Veteran's initial higher rating for cognitive disorder, not otherwise specified, with mood disorder, not otherwise specified is granted. The Board finds that further development is necessary regarding the remaining issues on appeal and remands them.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, alcohol use disorder and cocaine use disorder, finding that it is less likely than not that these conditions began during or were caused by his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's fatigue, insomnia, and sleep deprivation are related to his military service. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's dermatophytosis is not rated as compensable, and the case for service connection on remand.

The Veteran is disputing the amount of reimbursement for a licensing and certification test to which he is entitled. The claim must be remanded to obtain missing education records, including the February 2016 decision letter on appeal.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for celiac disease, finding that his celiac disease is not related to active service or any incident of service, including as due to presumed in-service exposure to environmental toxins and vaccinations.

The Board granted the Veteran's application for a VA clothing allowance for 2014, finding that her application was submitted on time and resolving any doubt in her favor.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.