Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 3, 2019. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of at least 70 percent with one disability rated at least 40 percent.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of this case. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with your claim.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in September 2021 is inadequate and requires additional clarification regarding the relationship between the Veteran's heart condition and his service-connected sleep apnea and hypertension. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the January 2008 rating decision became final and no exception to finality applies in this case. The appellant submitted her request to reopen the previously denied claim on April 24, 2012, and the evidence establishing the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans contributed to his death was received in December 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral eye disability, including dry eye syndrome. The case is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood has been granted a 70 percent disability rating effective October 24, 2017. His claim for an increased rating was received on the same day as his initial award.

The Veteran's immune disorder, rated as evolving lupus, results in muscle pain and fatigue with prolonged use. The Board granted a compensable initial rating of 10 percent for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding whether any respiratory disability, other than adenocarcinoma of the lung, present during the appeal period prior to May 19, 2011 was related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic cough is a symptom of his service-connected pulmonary fibrosis and not a separate disability, thus denying service connection for chronic cough.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking duodenal adenocarcinoma to his active service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's esophagitis and peptic ulcer disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The TDIU claim is granted from October 8, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hand numbness and loss of strength due to inadequate opinions regarding whether his current condition is related to his service-connected left shoulder condition. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an opinion from a clinician on the etiology of the Veteran's left hand conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for uterine fibroids, osteopenia, degenerative bone loss of the spine and bilateral hips due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The cases are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for loss of use of the right upper extremity is denied as the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5125 has already been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's decreased sense of smell is related to service.

The Veteran's bladder disability is not considered an additional disability resulting from the April 2014 hysterectomy, and therefore compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TMJ is due to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for missing teeth and jaw problems are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent, an extraschedular rating, and a TDIU prior to July 30, 2008 due to new evidence showing worsening of the condition and potential malignancy. The Veteran is also requested to provide information on any private treatment records.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal request prior to a decision being made.