Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II aggravated his claimed irregular heartbeat condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as there is no indication of fraud, misrepresentation or bad faith on his part. The overpayment occurred due to a failure to notify VA of the death of his spouse and he did not have knowledge that he was receiving benefits for her.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development and consideration, including a VA dental examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed current dental condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of a higher disability rating for duodenal ulcer and residuals of forearm injury, as well as his TDIU claim. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for his intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a retrospective addendum opinion to assess the severity of his condition at the time of previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a left middle finger and/or ring finger disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions or functional impairment from them. The Board also found no evidence of an in-service injury to either finger.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of lung adenocarcinoma status post right lower lobe lobectomy is being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's facial deformity, claimed as residuals of dental surgery, is granted service connection. The Board found that the current disability is etiologically related to in-service tooth #3 extraction and subsequent infection requiring surgery.

The Veteran's compensation benefits were reduced due to his incarceration, and the validity of this reduction is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 1, 2007 for the addition of S.G. as a dependent spouse to the Veteran's award due to timely notification and compliance with administrative procedures.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to insufficient evidence. The appellant is not entitled to survivors' pension benefits as her income exceeded the maximum annual death pension rate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a dental condition (other than missing teeth #1 & #32) for treatment purposes only is remanded to the VHA for initial consideration. The claim for loss of tooth #1 & #32 remains pending and will be adjudicated based on the current evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate notification and incomplete medical records, as well as an insufficient examination that did not address all potential diagnoses. The Veteran is requested to provide additional VA treatment records and his complete service record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a colon disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and active duty or in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation and earlier effective date for service connection of panic disorder with agoraphobia is granted. The effective date is set at March 7, 2001.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of teeth and facial muscle damage have been dismissed as the representative withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's right elbow flexion contracture and limitation of pronation and supination were denied as the disability did not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues related to a contested claim involving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the entitlement to DIC.

The Veteran's pension benefits were improperly calculated due to his Social Security Administration (SSA) income, which was not properly considered. The case is remanded for clarification from SSA regarding the status of his benefits and any repayment required.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and requires further evaluation to determine if the Veteran's skin conditions are related to his herbicide exposure.