Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected Horner's syndrome is manifested by visual acuity of 20/20 or better in the left eye with no disfigurement. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding service connection for dementia, specifically whether it is related to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's service in Vietnam may have exposed him to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's emphysema, effective July 23, 2019.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pulmonary embolism, but the Veteran has since expressed that she did not intend to withdraw her claim. The case is now remanded for further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it pertains to the issue of entitlement to additional payment for non-VA dental treatment services provided by the appellant on September 11, 2020. The decision is based on the governing statutes and regulations that do not allow for review of such claims by the Board.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his claim of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The Board finds that the request qualifies as a valid withdrawal and dismisses the issue.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k) for loss of use of a creative organ is denied because he is already receiving the maximum rate (SMC(o)) and cannot receive both SMC(k) and SMC(p).

The Veteran's stroke in February 2016 is found to be less likely related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Board has ordered a remand for an addendum opinion to address the lay statements of record regarding stress at work due to hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected genital herpes is remanded due to insufficient evidence of record regarding the current state and severity of her condition, including during flare-ups.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hip and chest issues may be related to her service, but more evidence is needed to determine this conclusively.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for adding his spouse as a dependent, finding that July 14, 2022 was the last claim submitted and thus the proper effective date.

The Board has restored the Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits, effective June 1, 2023, after finding that the AOJ did not comply with regulations regarding proper notice and time periods for submission of employment certification.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the revocation of his eligibility for benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates for TDIU, SMC, and DEA benefits as the Veteran's attorney withdrew these claims. The earliest date of eligibility for DEA benefits is July 31, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable initial rating for gastric ulcer and a higher rating for gastritis with gastric ulcer and gastroparesis was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, finding that the Veteran's cancer is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The decision also acknowledges significant sun exposure during service and credible lay statements supporting this relationship.

The Veteran's provider, St. Joseph Medical Center, was paid $387.84 for an episode of care on May 29, 2020. The appellant claims they should have been paid $4,242.69 and is appealing to receive additional payment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's period of service in the United States Army Reserve and to obtain relevant medical records. The claim for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma will be remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the condition, including any potential link to microwave emissions from ground-surveillance radar equipment during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for paroxysmal A-fib due to Agent Orange exposure is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an adequate opinion and secondary service connection is raised by his existing hypertension condition.

The Veteran's claim of competency has been found competent, making the issue moot and thus dismissed.