Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep disability, higher initial ratings for left lower extremity weakness and speech (aphonia) and swallowing difficulties, and an increased rating for thrombosis, transient ischemic attack with left upper extremity weakness due to outstanding private treatment records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board denied service connection for hypogonadism and prostate disability, both of which the Veteran contends were caused by exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. The VA opinions found no evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to contaminated water.,Service connection was not granted because there is insufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's hypogonadism and prostate disability were caused by his military service, including exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's right-hand sprain, right thumb disability, and right index finger disability have been rated at the highest available schedular rating for limitation of motion.,The Veteran's right long finger disability has also been rated at the highest available schedular rating for limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for myasthenia gravis and thymus gland tumor, status post thymectomy, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no credible evidence of exposure to depleted uranium or other toxins during service.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, manifested by pain and weakness, is currently rated at 20 percent for functional equivalent of favorable ankylosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye condition diagnosed as dry eye syndrome, finding that there is no nexus between her current condition and an in-service corneal abrasion due to fiberglass exposure. The Board considered multiple VA examinations and opinions but found them insufficient to establish a link.

The Board denied service connection for tremors of the head and hands, as well as a right leg disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right eye disability is denied, and an increased rating of 30 percent for disfigurement of the face due to asymmetry of eyes from June 26, 2020 is granted.

The Board denied service connection for generalized arthritis and hernia, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran developed an additional disability, including nerve damage, prolonged right hip pain, leg pain, foot pain, and calcified hematoma, after a right total hip arthroplasty performed at a VA facility in November 1998. The Board found that the VA's failure to properly treat the right hip arthoplasty and failure to timely diagnose the right hip avascular necrosis caused her additional disability. As such, the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current neurological disorder of the right lower extremity, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied as it is not secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and right shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or exposure to environmental hazards. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under the Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired eye disorders are secondary to his service-connected hepatitis. The Veteran seeks service connection for these conditions, which include cataracts, strabismus amblyopia, choroidal nevus, and pterygium.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for payment of nonservice-connected survivor's (death) pension benefits due to her income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rate.

The Board has determined that the VA medical providers who treated the Veteran prescribed lisinopril and HCTZ despite his allergy, and it is unclear if he was informed of all risks. The Board also needs to determine if any of these medications caused a stroke or if a stroke was foreseeable given his allergy.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to duodenal carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence linking it to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for face and chest contusions, finding that his current disability is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied as the current evaluations are considered to be the highest allowable under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded two claims: one related to a temporary total evaluation for ingrown toenails and another for an initial compensable rating for night blindness. The Veteran's right is to have these issues reviewed again due to incomplete VA treatment records and scheduling issues with the necessary examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of educational assistance benefits is granted as he was unable to complete his program due to the closure of ITT Tech, and he did not receive credit for all attempted hours.