Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's request for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to September 4, 2014 is remanded due to incomplete work history. The RO should obtain the Veteran's complete employment history from October 7, 2008, to present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected right shoulder disability due to inadequate opinions from VA medical examiners regarding the severity of his condition at the time of the January 2019 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right leg shin splints due to insufficient evidence regarding a diagnosis during the appeal period. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's shin splints are related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unresolved issues regarding the Veteran's post-surgical complications and their relation to VA treatment. The case will be reviewed by a non-VA medical expert to provide an opinion on whether the surgeries caused or contributed to the identified rectal disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's employment history prior to February 16, 2011.

The Board has denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the left great toe, finding that evidence does not support severe foot symptoms. The case is remanded due to insufficient reasons and bases.

The Board has found that separate, at least 10 percent ratings are warranted for each hand based on mild incomplete ulnar nerve paralysis as described and as noted in the treatment records. However, the Veteran's claim is REMANDED to obtain updated VA treatment records, provide lay statements from himself and other individuals who have first-hand knowledge of his symptoms, and schedule him for appropriate VA examinations to assess the nature and severity of all manifestations of the hand disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bruxism, finding that the Veteran's condition began during active duty and is related to his in-service treatment.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, concluding that his liver cancer and metastatic bone cancer were not caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's left arm disorder is caused by or aggravated by their service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the addition of his spouse as a dependent to his VA disability compensation was denied. The earliest possible effective date, February 17, 2015, is assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim that his means test eligibility category for VA healthcare services in income year 2015 should have been copay exempt, finding that his income exceeded the threshold and he was therefore required to pay a copayment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA medical opinions addressing all of the Veteran's contentions, particularly regarding his exposure to burn pits and use of Pyridostigmine Bromide.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a jaw disability, to include temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articulation.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with contested claims procedures, and both parties should be provided copies of relevant documents.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected muscle injury of the right leg, limitation of extension of the right thigh, and limitation of flexion of the right thigh due to inconsistencies in findings from previous examinations.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected fistula, anal/perianal, residual of ileocolic resection due to Crohn's disease throughout the initial period on appeal based on copious and frequent fecal discharge.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection issues are being decided.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disability, including BPH, as it is not related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure or any other service-connected condition.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis, finding that the Veteran's condition was not an additional disability resulting from VA treatment.