Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion and will require further development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's skin disorder is remanded for a new VA examination to determine its relationship to service, including his herbicide agent exposure. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements and the October 2018 VA examiner's opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's service-connected GI disability makes it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and to refer the matter to the Director of Compensation Services for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for blisters on the throat was dismissed.,Her appeal for a higher initial disability rating for other specified stressor and trauma-related disorder was granted with a 70% disability rating, effective October 25, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left foot condition was denied because he failed to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by severe pain and stiffness affecting motion, is granted a 30 percent rating prior to November 26, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulnar nerve neurolysis, right upper extremity. The Board found that there was no nexus between the current disability and his active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for vision loss and visual field impairment, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship with his active service.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development and readjudication due to discrepancies in the overpayment calculation, specifically regarding the reasons for withdrawal of courses during the summer 2017 term and the reduction of enrollment in the fall 2017 term. The Veteran's claims will be reassessed based on new information provided by Lone Star College.

The Veteran's T12 fracture status post fusion of T10-L2 and right hip bursitis with limitation of flexion and abduction, adduction, and rotation associated with the fracture are rated at their maximum levels. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity muscle pain, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service and assigning greater weight to the VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran's skin disability is manifested by chronic itching to the head and scalp, which he contends is related to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The VA examiner found that the skin condition was less likely caused by or aggravated by the service-connected mental health condition. The Board has determined that a secondary service connection claim should be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of right tongue squamous cell carcinoma, finding an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the condition is related to herbicide exposure during service. The decision was based on the PACT Act.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for cone rod dystrophy is denied. The case regarding service connection for a kidney disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bunions and hammertoes of the bilateral feet, finding that while there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service, the Veteran's consistent reports of in-service onset and eventual diagnosis have been found in favor.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed Sjogren's syndrome is at least as likely as not related to in-service toxic exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right hip disability, manifested by pain resulting in functional impairment, is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural issues related to communication with the Veteran's former accredited claims agent.