Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and issues related to service connection for right eye blindness. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, adjudicate the referred issue of service connection for right eye blindness, and readjudicate the 38 U.S.C. § 1151 claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the overpayment of VA benefits for a specific period, thus dismissing the issue.

The Board has granted service connection for a disability manifested by left hip pain, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran has a current disability and that it was incurred coincident with service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a left testicle disability was denied because the new evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The Veteran is diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and contends that his current condition is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. However, no evidence was found to support this claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current respiratory pathology is related to his active service, including his in-service sand inhalation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for limited left hip abduction/adduction, flexion, and extension was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip strain is related to her service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's malaria is inactive and without any residual disability. The Board denied a compensable rating for malaria.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives, specifically regarding verification of in-service exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) and obtaining an adequate addendum medical opinion addressing TCE-related articles submitted by the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurologic condition, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish a link between her reported symptoms and service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to issues with proper notice and additional evidentiary development is required.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip degenerative joint disease, finding that his current condition is due to an in-service injury and there is a continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral pleural plaques is remanded due to uncertainty regarding the impairment caused by his service-connected disability versus his nonservice-connected conditions and possible impact of his aortic valve replacement and cardiac rehabilitation on PFT findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for an immunodeficiency disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not show a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for status post left unguus incarnatum (ingrown toenail) has been denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claim for death pension benefits with aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence regarding unreimbursed medical expenses and home care services. The AOJ is instructed to request this information from the Appellant, her son, or any other appropriate party.