Other conditions decisions — 2024

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability, including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an enlarged prostate, bladder disability, right eye disability, and left eye disability. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection.,Service connection was denied because the medical opinions were against a link between the disabilities and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral nerve disabilities of both lower extremities due to a new theory of entitlement raised by the Veteran's representative. The case will be returned to the AOJ for an additional VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current peripheral nerve disability is caused or aggravated by treatment for prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in previously obtained opinions regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for mitral valve prolapse and related symptoms. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum from a new VA examiner addressing the Veteran's additional reported symptoms of left arm discomfort and dizziness, and whether they are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected hypertension or other conditions. If necessary, a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's current mental health disability or pulmonary/lung function disability (chest pain, arm pain, shortness of breath, dizziness) and his active service.

The Veteran's antalgic gait, hip and thigh disabilities are denied as they are considered symptoms of his service-connected knee and hip disabilities. The effective dates for the grant of service connection for these conditions have also been denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for NSC survivor's pension benefits due to her income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rates (MAPRs).

Your claim for service connection for left upper extremity condition secondary to cervical spine disability has been resolved, and you are now receiving a 20% rating effective March 21, 2023. The appeal is dismissed as the issue of service connection has been fully granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity phlebitis and venous varicosity was reopened. The Board has also remanded the case to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding whether his right leg varicose veins were caused or aggravated by putting most of his weight on his right leg while standing due to pain/weakness in his left leg.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Eglin Air Force Base. The claim will be referred for further development.

The Veteran's discharge was due to a service-connected mental illness, meeting the eligibility criteria for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development regarding how his education courses and terms operate, which could affect whether he qualifies for additional Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits beyond the initial 36 months.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it before a decision was made.

The Veteran's SMC for breast tissue loss is dismissed. The initial rating for the right breast lumpectomy and bilateral breast reconstruction remains denied, but a 20 percent rating is granted starting from September 29, 2023.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the October 2023 VA examination report, which did not adequately address the Veteran's reported word-finding difficulty and its relationship to his stroke residuals.

The Veteran's claim for a waiver of recoupment of her special separation benefits (SSB) was denied as the law and regulations require that an amount equivalent to the SSB, less the Federal income tax withheld from such payment, be recouped from her VA disability compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and requests for private treatment records. The cause of death is hemorrhagic stroke and hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but no service connection can be established as there are no relevant exposure or service records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to substantially comply with previous remands. The Veteran's right little finger disability is being reviewed for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, which resulted from a surgery performed in December 1996 at a VA facility. The decision found that informed consent was not properly obtained due to the Veteran's schizophrenia and related mental health issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's eye condition and related service connection. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it remains premature.