Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the discontinuance of VR&E services was improper due to lack of proper procedures and reinstated the services.

The Board has granted service connection for a recurrent hearing disability including hyperacusis and misophonia, finding that the condition was initially diagnosed during active service.

The Board denied the claim for payment of non-VA medical expenses incurred on January 4, 2022 due to lack of VA authorization.

The Veteran's myokymia, a condition affecting the left lower eyelid, is rated at 10 percent. The decision grants this rating and finds that it meets the criteria for moderate convulsive tics under Diagnostic Code (DC) 8103.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the VA Office of Community Care approved your claim for payment of medical services provided on June 22, 2020.

The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities have been granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, with the effective dates varying based on when the disability was found to meet the criteria for such ratings.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity weakness with atrophy due to paraneoplastic syndrome are rated as 40 percent for the period starting January 20, 2020.,A rating of 40 percent is granted for both the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip arthritis and left hip replacement, finding that these conditions are caused by the Veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain with traumatic arthritis and arthrotomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic lymphocytic leukemia is related to his service, specifically due to his exposure to toxic materials during his time at Fort Ord. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection for painful motion of the index finger, long finger, ring finger, and thumb was granted with an effective date of March 13, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as he can feed himself, bathe, attend to hygiene needs, and leave his home with the assistance of a cane. Therefore, SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound rate is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left foot ulcer and neurogenic bladder as secondary to service-connected disabilities, including obesity. The VA is required to provide an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused or aggravated his obesity, and if so, whether it was a substantial factor in causing or aggravating his left foot ulcer and/or neurogenic bladder.

The Board found that the removal of L.J., the Veteran's former spouse, as a dependent effective June 1, 2016 was proper due to her divorce from the Veteran in May 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of left 4th finger fracture was denied. The Board found that the maximum schedular rating (noncompensable) is appropriate due to the absence of functional impairment beyond what would be served by an amputation with prosthesis. The claims for increased ratings for right and left knee strains are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's polycythemia vera was caused by exposure to carcinogens in his military service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding payment at a contract rate for medical services provided by MGH in March 2020, EFT 4221235, as the dispute process under Veterans Care Agreements does not allow for Board review.

The Veteran's right and left foot drop disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, with no more than mild incomplete paralysis. The facial neuropathy has resolved without recurrence or chronic residuals.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for restrictive lung disease, finding that it is related to his already service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is denied. The effective date for the award of service connection cannot be earlier than January 28, 2023, as it was not received within one year after separation from active service or prior to the receipt of a valid claim.

The Veteran's application for benefits under the VA's Caregivers PCAFC program was denied due to a lack of eligibility based on his need for care. The Board has decided to remand this matter for further development and consideration.