Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's rectal fistula in ano status post-surgery, effective from July 21, 2020. The evidence shows occasional involuntary bowel movements necessitating the wearing of pads, but no extensive leakage or complete loss of sphincter control.

The appeal for non-VA medical services provided by the appellant Shepherd's Staff In-Home Care from September 3, 2019, to September 30, 2019 is dismissed as the episode of care was approved under 38 U.S.C. § 1703.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board could make a decision on her service connection claim for a psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is found to be related to his service exposure to Agent Orange, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the January 9, 2019 rating decision was issued before the effective date of the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The proper legacy appeal will be addressed in a separate REMAND.

The Veteran withdrew all his issues pending on appeal, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cause of death and DIC benefits, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal link between his gallbladder cancer and liver metastasis and his military service. The Board also determined that he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits due to lack of continuous total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for rectal incontinence and urinary incontinence due to nerve damage, as they are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The case is being returned for an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for voiding dysfunction has been withdrawn, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's left sided inguinal hernia is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7338. The Board finds that entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left sided inguinal hernia from May 30, 2019 is not warranted due to the lack of evidence showing the hernia being recurrent or not well supported by truss.

The Veteran's active duty service was not creditable for Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits due to the nature of his service, and thus he is denied eligibility.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically the need to obtain the Appellant's service personnel records (SPRs). The Board also requested an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Appellant's Wegener's Granulomatosis and his military service. The exposure basis is noted as 'none' since there was no indication of any specific environmental exposures in the record.

The appeal concerning the payment of non-VA emergency medical services provided on May 4, 2019, has been dismissed as the claim was administratively approved by VA.

The appeal is dismissed as the claims for payment of non-VA medical care provided by Vold Vision on specific dates have been resolved through administrative action.

The Board has determined that there are missing records related to the non-VA medical services provided from November 14, 2018, to November 17, 2018. The Veteran's other health insurance may have covered the costs, but this is unclear. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request for a hearing and indicated satisfaction with his most recent increase in disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left hip strain prior to March 2, 2020 and for left hip limitation of flexion and rotation/adduction from March 2, 2020 have been denied.,The claim seeking a compensable rating for left hip limitation of flexion has been dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's Alzheimer's disease, which was the cause of his death in June 2018, is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient response from the VA examiner regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of dry eye syndrome, specifically in relation to the Veteran's exposure to fiberglass fragments during service.

The Board denied service connection for a dental condition for compensation purposes as there is no evidence of loss of teeth due to the loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible, and the masticatory surfaces can be restored by suitable prosthesis.