Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left upper extremity stroke residuals are rated at 20 percent, effective February 8, 2017. The Veteran's left lower extremity stroke residuals remain rated at 10 percent. A TDIU determination is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his intestinal and stomach conditions and his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence is needed for service connection of eye conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for retrospective medical opinions regarding his hip and foot disabilities, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed insomnia.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current diagnosed right foot disorders, including hallux valgus, posttraumatic arthritis, and chronic fractures of the hallux sesamoids. The VA is required to provide a VA medical examination to determine if any of these conditions are related to her in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed substantially to his death, and whether the principal cause of his death was related to a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional accrued benefits, finding that he did not qualify as a child and thus could not receive such benefits. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tongue disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for a tongue disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, is related to his active-duty service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for poor blood circulation in both lower extremities and a skin condition, as well as determining if these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs to be contacted to provide updated contact information, and he should undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's death was due to a malignant neoplasm, but the cause of his death is unclear as there are no post-service medical records. The claim for service connection based on Agent Orange exposure and asbestos exposure needs further development with an opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is found to be related to his service-connected bladder cancer, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right eye injury, finding that his current right eye disabilities (including cataracts and macular degeneration) are not related to his in-service right eye injury. The Board concluded that there is no competent evidence to support the Veteran's assertion that his current conditions were caused by his in-service injury.

The claim for payment of death pension benefits is remanded due to incomplete evidence and the need for further development.

The Veteran's oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil and tongue was denied service connection, as there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and herbicide agent exposure or contaminated water exposure. The Board found that smoking tobacco was more likely the cause of the cancer.

The Veteran's son, C.D., was denied recognition as a helpless child due to insufficient evidence showing he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his service-connected restless leg syndrome affecting various nerves, and also for a determination of whether he is eligible for TDIU based on his disability.