Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD and hypertension. The Board also found that exposure to herbicide agents did not contribute to the development of varicose veins.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made.

The Veteran's skin condition is found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to chemicals and solvents during active duty. Service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right-hand disability, including its relationship to service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left patella fracture was denied, while her claim for a 10 percent rating for left knee instability from August 10, 2016, was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with a previous remand directive. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is now referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot disorders, including peripheral neuropathy, as the evidence did not show a nexus to active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because they died during the pendency of their hearing loss service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior directives and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including its relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg and hand disabilities, finding no current or diagnosed conditions that are separate from his existing service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding any dermatologic conditions possibly related to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for cause of death, finding that the evidence did not show entitlement to such prior to April 24, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left hip or thigh disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to consider the merits of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as she does not qualify for a higher percentage rate of education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill due to her National Guard service being classified as Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS) and not qualifying for Chapter 33 benefits.

The reduction of the combined rating from 80 to 70 percent effective January 1, 2021, as a result of combining systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with Raynaud's syndrome was not proper and separate service connection for both is restored. The claims for higher ratings for SLE and Raynaud's syndrome are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected right elbow disabilities, a total temporary rating for convalescence following right elbow surgery, and a higher initial rating for his right elbow scar. The effective date issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's costochondritis has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a 20 percent rating based on evidence showing that his condition is at least moderately severe.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's muscle and joint fatigue, including whether it is related to his military service or obesity.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the TDIU claim, including obtaining updated information about the Veteran's employment and income since 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding the Veteran's tremors, including whether they meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Parkinsonism. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's tremors, particularly with respect to their relation to service, exposure to herbicide agents, and diabetes mellitus.