Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral leukoderma, finding it is at least as likely as not related to active service. The appeal was based on the Veteran's claim of in-service herbicide exposure, but no such exposure was found due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The examiner will determine if the brain tumor is related to service, including head injury and presumed exposure to herbicide agents, or if it began during active service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no merits of the claim can be adjudicated.

The Board denied service connection for meningioma, including as due to asbestos exposure, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between the condition and active duty.

The Board denied service connection for Barrett's esophagus, finding that the condition is not related to the Veteran's active service and did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to an inextricably intertwined issue with the other claim.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims are now closed, and no further action will be taken on them.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, pre-existed service but was aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's detached retina may be related to service, but needs further examination and information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dental trauma for purposes of outpatient treatment is denied as he does not meet the criteria for any of the specified eligibility categories.

The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because he failed to provide necessary information about his employment and educational history, which is essential to deciding the claim.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant passed away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as there is no clear evidence that VA's mailing practices are not regular or that regular practices were not followed. The Veteran was found to be employed throughout most of the period on appeal and his employment does not appear to be marginal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for residuals of a right forearm stab injury and whether the Veteran's symptoms are related to his service-connected scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stroke, finding that his stroke was not related to service and was due to a patent foramen ovale, which is a congenital defect. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation by an in-service injury or event.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's gall bladder disorder and its relation to service, specifically exposure to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Drinking Water (CLCW) and herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current genitourinary conditions and their relationship to service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's chronic bilateral ear disability and BPPV. The RO is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records and provide an adequate etiological opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his TMJ disability is dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn their request for a hearing and the appeal itself.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination by a cardiologist. The issues of service connection for heart disability (including left bundle branch block) and residuals of stroke are inextricably intertwined with the heart disability claim.