Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, but the appellant is granted substitution for accrued benefits due to her payment of burial expenses.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected right radical orchidectomy due to seminoma has been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of any other residuals associated with the disability, and thus, no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) was granted service connection as it is considered a variant of Parkinson's disease, and the Board found that his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service likely caused his condition. The claim was decided on a direct service connection basis.

The Board has determined that the procedural steps for a contested claim have not been completed, and thus the matter is being remanded to ensure compliance with these procedures.

The Board has granted basic eligibility for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as well as payment of survivor's pension with special monthly pension due to the Appellant's countable income. The decision is effective from August 30, 2018.

The Board found that the Veteran's failure to report his deceased spouse's income led to an overpayment of VA pension benefits. The Board granted a waiver of recovery due to financial hardship and other equitable considerations.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for lupus is being reviewed again as there are insufficient medical opinions provided.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability manifested by shortness of breath and wheezing, finding that the Veteran's symptoms started during her ACDUTRA service. Service connection was denied for headaches as there is no clear evidence linking them to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the conditions. The VA examiner is requested to provide a rationale explaining whether the claimed bilateral foot conditions are related to service, including training, marches, and jogging.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death, and no service connection claim remains.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, specifically whether it is related to service or worsened by exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pension benefits should be terminated due to his failure to meet the minimum active duty requirement, as he served less than six months and did not qualify for exceptions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left foot prior to June 27, 2023 and for a retrospective opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a status post spermatic cord lipoma resection and inguinal hernia repair is denied.,A 20 percent rating is granted for moderate incomplete paralysis of the anterior crural (femoral) nerve as a residual of a status post spermatic cord lipoma resection and inguinal hernia repair.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between his current hip condition and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 10 percent for right and left foot hallux valgus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hallux valgus was manifested by painful motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and a need for further review of the evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hematuria is being reviewed again.

The Board granted recognition of the appellant as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA DIC benefits, but denied it for death pension benefits due to remarriage after the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as to removing his former spouse, E.S., from receiving additional dependency benefits due to a divorce that occurred in February 2014. The Veteran did not inform VA of this change within one year of the divorce.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints due to inadequate opinions in prior VA examinations and failure to address the Veteran's contentions regarding his MOS duties.