Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection is granted.

The Veteran's chronic back pain with Scheuermann's Disease is rated at 40 percent effective September 26, 2012, to May 15, 2013. The appeal for a higher rating from May 15, 2013, was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the most recent supplemental statement of the case, which includes a full copy of the Veteran's autopsy report. The case will be readjudicated and a new supplemental statement of the case will be issued considering this evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for restless leg syndrome, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and/or left lower extremity radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary before the claim for death pension benefits, including special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate (SMP-AA/HB) can be adjudicated. The Appellant needs to provide VA with all appropriate documentation to identify her unreimbursed medical expenses.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's principal causes of death (cardiorespiratory arrest, acute respiratory failure, and emphysema) to his active service or any service-connected disability. The Board also found no evidence suggesting a relationship between Agent Orange exposure and the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thymus cancer associated with herbicide exposure is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's chronic myeloid leukemia is not a recognized presumptive condition for Vietnam veterans, but the Board has remanded to determine if it is related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip trochanteric pain syndrome as secondary to service connected left hip trochanteric pain syndrome. Service connection for an acquired deformity of unequal leg length, to include as secondary to service connected left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis on a direct basis, finding that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by in-service duties.

The Board has remanded the case due to incorrect address for one of the parties involved and a need to resend the Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The matter will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for uveitis, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted since the May 1987 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of VA compensation benefits, finding that recovery would not violate principles of equity and good conscience.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's gynecological condition, specifically endometriosis. The examiner must provide a more definitive opinion on whether the condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of sense of smell was denied as there is no evidence that the VA treatment caused additional disability.,The issue of loss of sense of taste remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hyposmia, specifically whether it is related to service or environmental exposures in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hip, left hip, right hand and left hand disorders due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded as the Veteran was not provided a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for essential tremors, as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange), due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement of non-VA hospital care or medical services under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program (CLFMP) for Bartter's syndrome, finding that it is not associated with exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water.