Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an in-person examination to determine the nature of any ear disabilities, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear pain. The Veteran's service-connected lupus is not considered a factor in these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC were denied. The fifth metacarpal fracture of the right hand was found to not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The fourth metacarpal strain of the right hand was also found not to meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. Additionally, entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the right hand was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran had diverticulitis during or proximate to the appeal period. The case will be further examined and clarified.

The Veteran's squamous cell cancer of the tongue is being remanded for further evaluation due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. The case will be reviewed and a new medical opinion will be sought to determine if the cancer is related to service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water at Camp LeJeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left upper extremity neurological disorder, which is related to his service-connected depressive disorder and self-inflicted wrist cutting injuries.

The Board has remanded the claim due to lack of substantial compliance with prior directives and a need for an independent medical opinion from an orthopedic expert.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected prostatitis prior to January 31, 2018, finding that his symptoms were primarily due to nonservice-connected benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ganglion cysts as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and it resolved after separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for cold injury residuals of the left and right lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for urinary incontinence caused or worsened by a radical prostatectomy performed at Keesler Air Force Base Medical Center. The Board has ordered the VA to obtain signed consent forms from the Veteran related to this procedure, as well as any documentation of verbal consents if applicable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, claimed as porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) due to herbicide exposure is remanded. The VA medical opinion was inadequate and the case requires further development with an in-person VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's thoracic spine disability. The Veteran is presumed competent to describe his in-service injuries, and a new examination or opinion is needed to determine if these injuries caused or aggravated his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck condition is at least as likely as not related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral eye disorder, migraine headaches, right arm disability, and right leg disability due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's conditions are related to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's keratoconus pre-existed service or was aggravated by service. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Mercy Hospital Lebanon on December 11, 2016 are granted as the emergency room visit was related to a nonservice-connected condition and the VA facility was not feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's employment history and income, which is necessary for determining if she qualifies for TDIU.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no further action can be taken on this case.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a compensable disability rating for malaria, finding that there were no residuals of inactive disease and that the Veteran did not have active malaria or any residuals of malaria such as liver or spleen damage.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination and a need for additional opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether it is related to in-service asbestos exposure.