Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability has been granted effective May 1, 2015. The appeal is dismissed as the benefits have already been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of a service connection claim have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of breast cancer, finding that the Veteran's cancer was not caused by VA's carelessness or negligence and that there is no evidence to suggest an unforeseeable event.

The Board has determined that the VA's remand directives have not been fully complied with, and thus the case is being returned to the RO for further action. Specifically, a new opinion from a clinician with expertise in gastrointestinal disabilities must be obtained, as well as reassessment of the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current eye disorders to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a skin disability is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of relevant medical records.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for ingrown toenails due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for disability of both feet are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory condition and his in-service complaints of productive cough and shortness of breath.

The Board denied service connection for hernia, testicular disorder, and prostate nodules as the Veteran does not have these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TDIU and SMC due to unclear employment status and a lack of updated VA treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records since August 2019 and request the Veteran's Social Security Administration Earnings Record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and its relation to service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for revision of a November 1969 rating decision that assigned a noncompensable rating for erythema multiforme, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the original determination.

The Veteran's application to readjudicate his claim for service connection for a nasal condition is granted. The Board finds that the new evidence submitted since the prior final rating decision is relevant to the question of whether the Veteran's sinus condition is etiologically related to his military service, including to his in-service nasal surgery. As such, the case is remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's request for payment or reimbursement for ambulance service provided on September 7, 2021 is remanded due to missing documentation in the claims file.

Your appeal for service connection for meningitis has been dismissed without prejudice due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with this matter.

The Veteran's neuralgia of llio-inguinal nerve is granted as service connected, with onset during active service.

The Board has decided that the appellant's character of discharge from service is dishonorable and thus bars payment of VA benefits. The decision is remanded due to a duty to assist error related to an application for correction of military records.

The Veteran's squamous cell cancer of the lung with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis resulted in a Diffusion Capacity of the Lung Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) between 40 to 55 percent predicted prior to March 2, 2022. The Board granted an initial rating of 60 percent for this condition.

The Board has decided that the AOJ decision on the appeal is not clear and requires additional information to determine if it has jurisdiction over the claim. The case is being remanded for the AOJ to provide necessary documents.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hernias as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were caused by service.