Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for adding his child as a dependent was denied because the earliest possible effective date is April 24, 2013, which is when VA received notice of the child's existence. The decision does not address service connection or exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his in-service exposure to toxic burn pits, as required by the PACT Act. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected HSV2 is rated at a 30 percent rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right hip strain, limitation of extension and for an effective date earlier than October 9, 2018, for the grant of service connection and the assignment of a 10 percent rating for right hip strain, limitation of extension. The Board believes that a contemporaneous VA examination is needed before a fully informed decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in limiting the scope of the Veteran's claim. The issue now is whether it was ascertainable prior to April 15, 2021, that the Veteran had residuals of a TBI that included symptoms of dizziness and gait/balance problems.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for dental disabilities, finding that they are within the scope of his existing claim and requiring a new VA examination to address whether his dental disability is related to service or his service-connected scar.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities were rated as 10 percent disabling from November 27, 2007, to April 30, 2010. From May 1, 2010, to March 26, 2014, the rating was non-compensable. Since March 27, 2014, at worst, the Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities are constant, present in the central field to 20 degrees and not completely correctable with spectacles that include special prismatic correction.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of expenses from December 26, 2012, to December 30, 2012, at Portneuf Medical Center (PMC) was remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for VA to obtain EOBs and related documentation. The AOJ did not make reasonable efforts to assist the Veteran in obtaining these documents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polycythemia vera cancer is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his condition is related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an assault during his ACDUTRA in June 1984. The decision includes compensation for all psychiatric symptoms and impairment the Veteran currently experiences.

The Board denied service connection for cold weather injury to the bilateral hands and feet, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between the condition and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hair loss, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service and was not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The appeal for burial benefits is dismissed without prejudice due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's dental disability, specifically osteomyelitis and bone loss. The examiner is requested to address whether these disabilities are related to service, particularly post-extraction infection during service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's arthritis and similar conditions. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if her arthritis is related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation or PCBs.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's skin condition had its onset during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bile duct cancer and liver cancer are being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, specifically whether they are related to in-service exposure at Camp Lejeune or Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the record, and the Veteran did not respond within the required timeframe. The TDIU issue will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pneumonia, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability related to service and that any current symptoms are not due to service.