Other conditions Board decisions

The decision is remanded due to incomplete file, legally inadequate notification of the decision, and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The eligibility for PCAFC benefits is also remanded for an adequate medical decision.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided on August 17, 2020 was administratively approved and paid.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for travel expenses related to a specific appointment (TC202307014636068) cannot be decided without additional development of the record, as there is insufficient information provided. The case is being sent back to the AOJ for further action.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the VA approved payment for non-VA medical services provided during a specific episode of care, and no further action is needed.

The Board has granted the restoration of the Veteran's stepchildren, H.M. and S.M., to his VA disability compensation award effective December 21, 2016, based on their status as biological children under the age of 18 who were members of his household.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to military service. The issues include psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, insomnia disorder, mild cognitive disorder, and nightmare disorder; and a low back disorder.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left ear disability was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for residuals of concussion was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's request for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to September 4, 2014 is remanded due to incomplete work history. The RO should obtain the Veteran's complete employment history from October 7, 2008, to present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected right shoulder disability due to inadequate opinions from VA medical examiners regarding the severity of his condition at the time of the January 2019 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right leg shin splints due to insufficient evidence regarding a diagnosis during the appeal period. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's shin splints are related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unresolved issues regarding the Veteran's post-surgical complications and their relation to VA treatment. The case will be reviewed by a non-VA medical expert to provide an opinion on whether the surgeries caused or contributed to the identified rectal disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's employment history prior to February 16, 2011.

The Board has denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the left great toe, finding that evidence does not support severe foot symptoms. The case is remanded due to insufficient reasons and bases.

The Board has found that separate, at least 10 percent ratings are warranted for each hand based on mild incomplete ulnar nerve paralysis as described and as noted in the treatment records. However, the Veteran's claim is REMANDED to obtain updated VA treatment records, provide lay statements from himself and other individuals who have first-hand knowledge of his symptoms, and schedule him for appropriate VA examinations to assess the nature and severity of all manifestations of the hand disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bruxism, finding that the Veteran's condition began during active duty and is related to his in-service treatment.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, concluding that his liver cancer and metastatic bone cancer were not caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's left arm disorder is caused by or aggravated by their service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the addition of his spouse as a dependent to his VA disability compensation was denied. The earliest possible effective date, February 17, 2015, is assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim that his means test eligibility category for VA healthcare services in income year 2015 should have been copay exempt, finding that his income exceeded the threshold and he was therefore required to pay a copayment.