Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in adjudication and failure to consider certain evidence, including VA outpatient dental treatment records and a medical opinion. The claim will be reconsidered with additional information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for loss of teeth, numbers 7 through 9. The Board also found that separate compensable ratings are not warranted for stomach conditions, mental disorders, cranial nerve conditions, and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right great toe fracture and TDIU due to inadequate VA examination in July 2023, and because these issues are intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's esophageal cancer, specifically whether it is related to service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his right hand and finger disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings assigned are consistent with the Veteran's reports of pain and decreased range of motion, and there is no evidence of ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has not provided the Veteran with necessary documents and requested updated information, leading to a remand for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for ulcerative colitis. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the condition was incurred in or related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a jaw disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service boxing injuries and traumatic injury. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's current diagnosis of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ).

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the Veteran's overpayment of VA disability compensation due to removal of her daughter from her award is now moot because a waiver of recovery was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's neck condition, which is currently considered a direct service connection issue.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disability of balance problems, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The appeal was dismissed because the Appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, finding that his current symptoms are related to an in-service fall and injury. The Board found no evidence linking these residuals to any period of active service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for hyperlipidemia and testicular pain due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are not granted as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Veteran's Bell's palsy resulted in subjective reports of facial numbness and asymmetry, but objective testing did not demonstrate severe paralysis. The Board denied an initial rating greater than 10 percent for Bell's palsy.

The Veteran's claims for compensable evaluations for various finger disabilities and headaches have been denied. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the evaluation of existing conditions.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the July 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no further action can be taken on this case.

The Veteran's left eye disorder, diagnosed as left eye pseudophakia and epiretinal membrane, was aggravated by service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for benefit year 2020 is remanded due to incomplete records. The AOJ must reconstruct the record and upload all documentation related to the claim, including medical records of his knee brace and any subsequent determinations regarding an award of a clothing allowance.