Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for vocational rehabilitation services under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code was dismissed as he has already received the benefits sought.

The Veteran's malignant skin neoplasms (skin cancer) are at least as likely as not related to his military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left hip disability, including leg length discrepancy, is rated at 70 percent effective May 1, 2013.

The Veteran's soft tissue sarcoma (GIST tumor) is granted as due to herbicide exposure, and his right fibula disability is granted a 20% rating from December 24, 2014.

The Veteran is granted additional VR&E benefits, including an extension in the duration of a program beyond 48 months to complete his training and achieve suitable employment.

The Board granted an effective date of August 19, 2015 for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The decision is based on evidence that was added to the file after a prior denial in May 2012.

The Board has granted recognition of the appellant as the Veteran's surviving spouse, allowing her to receive death pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to treatment of a service-connected hernia was denied as the condition is not service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected onychomycosis is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable VA rating criteria. The condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has not resulted in disfigurement of the head, face, or neck; scars as the predominant disability; more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or constant or near-constant systemic therapy during the past 12-month period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his residuals of bunionectomy of the right foot was granted, with a rating of 10 percent effective November 8, 2000. The decision also remanded other issues related to this condition.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal due to the belief that a supplemental claim is more appropriate, and the Board dismissed the appeal accordingly.

The Veteran's brother, who was recognized as the substitute claimant after the Veteran's death, is seeking an increased rate of VA pension benefits. The RO confirmed and continued entitlement to special monthly pension (SMP) with aid and attendance for accrued purposes but the appellant did not have adequate notice of the evidence necessary to support the claim.

The Board denied service connection for esophageal disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it does not have jurisdiction to review the claim for payment of medical services provided by Aegis Sciences Corporation on February 20, 2020.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for a hematologic disorder. The Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents is conceded, and VA will consider evidence of actual direct causation of normocytic anemia, MDS, or red cell hypoplasia based on such exposure.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee has been denied. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a current right knee disability, other than Osgood-Schlatter's disease or residuals thereof.

The Veteran's right and left shin splints are rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has denied ratings in excess of these initial ratings.

The Veteran's back pain on October 15, 2016 was considered a medical emergency due to severe symptoms and the risk of delay being hazardous to his health. The nearest VA facility was over an hour away, making CMH the feasible option for immediate treatment.