Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's Sjogren's Syndrome is related to his military service, specifically his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thrombosis of the brain, to include right side facial droop and speech impediment was denied as there is no evidence showing or alleging symptoms not encompassed by the schedular criteria.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity weakness, residuals of CVA was denied as there is no evidence showing or alleging symptoms not encompassed by the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for external cutaneous nerve of the thigh, neuritis was denied. The maximum available schedular evaluation is a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected residuals of right fourth metacarpal fracture, to include arthritis of right fifth metacarpal, was denied. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a skin disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of cold weather injuries to both the right and left hands. However, the claims for service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to compensation for a left foot, to include left leg, disability pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is now remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and exposure issues, including potential asbestos exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records and conduct TERA development.

The Veteran's character of discharge was upgraded to under honorable conditions (general) by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, allowing him to receive VA benefits.

The Board has denied service connection for various cancers and lymph node conditions, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service or any presumptive exposure. The cancers were diagnosed many years after separation from service.

The Veteran died in August 2015, and his claim for service connection for esophageal cancer was received the same month. As a result of this timing, he would not have been entitled to any accrued benefits due to the death payment being suspended as of July 31, 2015. The Veteran's compensable disability rating claim for Barrett's esophagitis is remanded and may be granted prospectively based on evidence received after August 2014.

The appeal is dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of her appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of her survivor's pension benefits.

The Board has determined that a remand is needed to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the nature and likely cause of any right foot disability, including hallux valgus (bunions), hammer toes, heel spur, and reported history of right foot injury. The issue remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for liver condition with residuals and left eye condition with residuals are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's surviving spouse, the Appellant, was denied recognition as his surviving spouse for VA death pension benefits due to her remarriage after the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance before a decision was made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for adding his daughter M.W. to his award as a school-aged child, finding that the claim was not received within a year of her eighteenth birthday and that she began attending university in August 2014.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits because he did not have active military service during a period of war, and therefore does not meet the eligibility criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disability, finding that there is no current visual disability and that any vision issues are due to refractive error rather than service.

The Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension limit for a Veteran with no dependents, thus denying his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits.