Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board dismissed the appeal because the notice of disagreement was submitted by an unaccredited representative, and thus does not have jurisdiction to review the case.

The Board has granted recognition of the appellant as the surviving spouse for receiving VA DIC benefits, finding that they held themselves out as husband and wife despite Oregon not recognizing common-law marriage.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that it is at least as likely as not that his glioblastoma was related to herbicide exposure during service. The cause of death was respiratory failure due to glioblastoma.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for Reiter's syndrome was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any acute phases of Reiter's syndrome and that the disability is already rated as compensable under existing diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left fibula fracture is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his ankle disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of records from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding the Veteran's disability benefits. The SSA records need to be obtained and added to the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2013 was denied because he does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left trochanteric bursitis, limitation of abduction is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of an effective date prior to October 3, 2022, for the grant of a separate rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a non-VA hospitalization at Shannon Medical Center from February 24, 2013, to February 27, 2013, has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for NSC death pension benefits, stating that he did not bear any expenses for his mother's last sickness and burial. The appeal is about reimbursement of expenses, but does not involve service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for jaw pain, finding that there is no current diagnosis related to the condition and thus not meeting one of the elements required for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected diarrhea s/p ileostomy pull-through surgery due to ulcerative colitis is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition. Additionally, his TDIU claim is also being remanded as he testified that it prevented him from working.

The Board has granted service connection for chest pain and fatigue as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD, recurrent episode major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ventricular tachycardia status post dual-chamber implantable cardio-defibrillator placement was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and residuals of a left wrist fracture have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left leg disabilities due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of her symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left leg conditions, finding no current diagnosis of such conditions. The claim for an abdominal hernia is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip injury, finding that his current diagnosis of trochanteric bursitis is at least as likely as not related to direct and indirect trauma from hazing during service.

The Veteran's VA benefits are apportioned to the Appellant on behalf of their minor child, G.H., in an amount that does not cause hardship for the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pernicious anemia, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnosis and active service.