Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has directed the VA Director, Compensation Service to review the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The matter is being remanded to ensure that the response from the Director is included in the claims file.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate to support a decision on the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities. The case is therefore being remanded for further examination and clarification.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to balanced fault, lack of undue hardship, and no defeat of benefit purpose.

The Board has remanded the claims for evaluation of polymyositis conditions due to service, including earlier effective dates. The Veteran's death during the pendency of these claims means that his surviving spouse may be eligible to substitute as a claimant.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the right hand has been remanded due to ongoing issues with his VA examinations and treatment records. The case will be reassessed after additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The appellant is seeking recognition as the helpless child of the Veteran on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching age 18.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the left eye was granted effective January 28, 2014. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted as there was no increase in disability within one year prior to the filing date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, claimed as skin cancer, due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish a link between the condition and his service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's TB pleurisy is inactive and not shown to have had compensable residuals since September 19, 2013. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right foot disability rating from 10% to 20%, effective March 12, 2016, as the reduction was not proper due to lack of sustained improvement in the condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for narcolepsy and granted it. However, the cause of death due to congestive heart failure is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA Regional Office did not fulfill its duty to assist in verifying the Appellant's spouse's service with USATS or USNTS, and has ordered further development.

The Veteran's perirectal abscess is rated at 60 percent effective March 30, 2012. A separate 10 percent rating for a painful left buttock scar is granted effective June 19, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a urinary disorder, including recurrent urinary tract infections, benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostatitis, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of onset in service or causation by Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was also denied as he does not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance needs.

The Veteran's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal for a waiver of overpayment, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for cold injury residuals of the right foot and left foot was denied as the award is based on a reopened claim after a final disallowance, which does not allow for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and the need for further development, including verifying radiation and/or chlorine exposure during service.

The Veteran's cardiovascular disorder is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure during service, and his left eye disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected cardiovascular disorder. Both claims are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for higher amounts of non-service-connected pension benefits from December 1, 2016 was denied as her income did not exceed the applicable maximum annual pension rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cause of death and denied entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma to his military service.