Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence following surgery for his service-connected pilonidal cyst is remanded as the VA has not reviewed all relevant treatment records, including those from VistA Imaging.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) prior to February 1, 2018, is granted. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is about the restoration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits used for a reported course at United Education Institute- Gardena (UEI). The RO determined that the Veteran's Chapter 33 benefits stopped on June 16, 2016 due to unsatisfactory progress. The Veteran submitted new evidence showing he never attended the class and was not enrolled in it. As the RO did not readjudicate the claim within a year of the determination letter, the appeal is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his metastatic head and neck cancer was not related to service or other causes.

The Veteran's right femur disability was granted an increased rating of 20 percent effective March 1, 2023.,A separate rating of 10 percent for instability of the right femur from September 24, 2019 is also granted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for post-operative residuals, left ulnar nerve entrapment surgery, effective October 17, 2017. The Veteran's symptoms are severe enough to warrant this higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding an overpayment of VA compensation benefits and his claim for a special apportionment of his disability compensation benefits.,Specifically, the Board found that the overpayment was properly created due to the removal of additional compensation benefits for a dependent spouse from the date of their divorce. The Board also determined that the special apportionment of the Veteran's benefits to his former spouse on behalf of their children was proper.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need to obtain his National Guard records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for history of compression fractures with osteophytes and lumbago was denied as there is no basis under the general effective date regulations for an effective date prior to April 18, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hip strain is proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected left foot disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right eye disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to satisfy the duty to assist under 38 U.S.C. § 5103A, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's deviated septum.

The Board has granted service connection for atrial fibrillation, finding it secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. Service connection was denied for a bilateral eye disorder due to lack of evidence linking any current eye condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied a rating greater than 40 percent for service-connected compression fracture of the C-5 vertebra (cervical spine disability) from January 13, 2006. The schedular ratings adequately contemplate the Veteran's disability picture.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge was not a bar to VA benefits due to his insanity at the time of misconduct, and thus his period of active service from June 2004 to April 2008 was valid for VA service-connected purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The matter will be returned to the Board after obtaining the curriculum vitae of the VA examiners who provided opinions on these conditions.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected PNH with aplastic anemia. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his migraine headaches and hypertension, as well as to address the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a condition of his left foot, second toe is granted. A compensable rating of 10 percent is assigned for the scar, residual of inguinal hernia surgery.

The Veteran's appeal for a greater than 10 percent disability rating for a bilateral foot disorder, including callus formation on the left little toe, is dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for the evaluation of urinary tract obstruction (also claimed as nonspecific urethritis and chronic prostatitis) is denied. The Board found that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating prior to October 18, 2007.