Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of stroke and TIA, as well as the claim for TDIU due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decisions. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any SSA earnings statement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability for VA compensation purposes is denied because his missing teeth are not due to loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible from trauma or disease such as osteomyelitis. The claim for service connection for a dental disability for VA treatment purposes is dismissed because he is already in receipt of a 100% combined disability rating, which authorizes him to receive any needed dental treatment.

The Veteran's child, C.W., is seeking recognition as his dependent for the purpose of additional dependency compensation. The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether C.W. was permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining age 18.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's NOD was not timely filed with respect to the April 2014 rating decision denying service connection for atelectasis. The appeal is remanded due to a need for issuance of a statement of the case regarding whether new and material evidence has been received in order to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for atelectasis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left eye condition, including astigmatism, due to incomplete record development and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's abortion and hysterectomy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neurological disabilities of the lower extremities, as secondary to hypertension. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand is not established on a 'facts found or direct basis.' A VA examination is needed to address the etiology of his current neurological disabilities and whether they are related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder has worsened, requiring a remand for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for fatigue and sleep disorder, as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incorrect mailings and needs to correct this by sending appropriate notices and documents to both parties.

The Board denied service connection for a left elbow disability and granted a rating of no more than 30 percent for bilateral pinguecula, effective from November 15, 2022. The Veteran's current left elbow disability is not service-connected, while the bilateral pinguecula remains service-connected with a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's dry eye condition is secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea and chronic allergic rhinitis. The VA needs to obtain an opinion that addresses these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum applicable pension rate for a Veteran with one dependent, and thus terminated his nonservice-connected pension benefits effective January 1, 2016. The decision also denied restoration of these benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment prior to April 17, 2013. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for this condition effective before that date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his right Achilles tendon rupture was denied, but he received an increased rating to 20 percent effective from the date of his claim. He also received a 10 percent rating for his right ankle surgical scar since March 14, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neurological condition, including transient ischemic attack and cerebral aneurysm, as well as TIA due to PTSD. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are not related to service or any presumptive exposure.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted a 30 percent initial evaluation for service-connected neuralgia of the right trigeminal nerve, but denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent. The appeal regarding bilateral ankle achilles disabilities is remanded.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued survivor's (death) pension benefits, stating that there was no indication in the record that the late-Veteran's surviving spouse had a pending claim or appeal at the time of her death.