Other conditions decisions — 2023

The appeal for a learning disability was dismissed as the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by shortened right leg and bone cancer, to include secondary to asbestos exposure due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, specifically regarding the examination of the Veteran's right Achilles' tendon rupture residuals with surgical repair. The Veteran needs a new VA examination that addresses the severity of his disability during periods of flare-ups.

The Veteran's costochondritis has been rated at 10 percent since April 2016, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his left foot conditions, which include cavovarus foot, bilateral acquired pes cavus, and left foot varus deformity. He also seeks secondary service connection for these conditions as related to his service-connected right ankle surgical repair with debridement, lumbar strain, left ankle scars (painful), right or left ankle scar, and right foot pes cavus. The Board has requested additional opinions from an appropriate clinician to address the nature and etiology of his left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the restoration of service connection for gout of the right hand has been dismissed because he withdrew his claim in January 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral leg disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current symptoms and service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as claims do not survive their deaths.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because they passed away during the pendency of their case, and no final decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure contributed substantially or materially to his death, and therefore service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dementia, to include as secondary to his service-connected ITP and/or due to radiation exposure, is being remanded. The VA needs to verify the Veteran's claimed radiation exposure and provide a new medical opinion regarding the nature, severity, and likely etiology of his reported dementia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's insomnia disorder and his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to include bilateral hand disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's overpayment in Chapter 30 education benefits is being remanded for a clear accounting of the amount and reasons for collection, including any penalties and fees incurred.

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

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for residual humerus fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The appeal was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current chronic residuals from a right eye socket fracture, left middle finger fracture, and broken teeth are related to a fall due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) as there is no evidence of a relationship between his current BPH and active duty, including exposure to toxic herbicide agents.