Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board denied an earlier effective date for left foot arthritis, first metatarsal and remanded the issue of initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her gynecological disorders, right hand disorder, and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of multiple myeloma was dismissed due to her death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and a need for further analysis regarding the Veteran's exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls at Fort McClellan, her sun exposure during service, and other possible in-service incidents.

The Board has denied service connection for muscle spasms due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to military service. The lead poisoning claim is remanded as VA failed to provide a medical examination or opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided by Signature Care Home Care to the Veteran on February 6, 2019, May 26, 2019, and January 5, 2019, as VHA has already authorized and paid these expenses.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records from a VA examination conducted outside of the evidentiary window.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was granted a survivor's special monthly pension (SMP) because her net worth did not exceed the required limit, after adjustments for trust assets and other transfers.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right and left hip strains, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and knee strains.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA pension benefits, but has remanded the issue to determine if the amount was properly created.

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

The Veteran's left foot disability is granted as a result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals, closed fracture 3rd metacarpal, right hand prior to August 24, 2023 is granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding a higher rating.

The Veteran's IVDS with spinal stenosis and facet hypertrophy is rated at 40 percent effective January 3, 2019. The ratings for lower left and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for TMD is remanded due to inadequate medical examination and the need for an updated assessment of her symptoms, including during flare-ups and with repeated use over time. The examiner must address the functional impact of medication on her disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disorder and an increased evaluation for his right hemifacial spasm (cranial nerve VII) are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of left upper chest collagenous fibroma excisions, right thigh dermatofibroma excision, and skin condition of the neck is granted.,Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including restrictive lung disease, old granulomatous disease and emphysema, is granted as service connected. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for otitis externa and service connection for tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of hypertension and acne was dismissed as she withdrew her appeals.,Her uterine fibroids were rated at a non-compensable level since January 1, 2013. After undergoing a total hysterectomy on March 22, 2023, the Veteran is now entitled to a 30 percent rating for residuals of this surgery.