Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's request for service connection for idiopathic photophobia with blepharospasm of the right eye was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder manifested by shortness of breath, to include as due to service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal, as he filed a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding an incorrect calculation of attorney fees in a June 2020 fee decision. A corrected fee decision was issued in August 2020 that granted additional fees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic urinary tract infections and skin tags/moles, finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's net worth is below the limit for pension eligibility, and he meets the income requirements to receive nonservice-connected pension benefits with special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance. His claim for pension benefits is therefore granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical examination and to obtain missing service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the appellant's income is less than the maximum annual death pension rate, allowing her to receive nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Veteran's L4-L5 disc bulb with residual back pain did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from July 1, 2019. The existing schedular criteria adequately described his condition.

The Veteran's shin splint disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity and for obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's additional disabilities, including stomach and urinary tract problems resulting from a VA surgical treatment for esophageal cancer in January 2011, are not considered to be proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension with aid and attendance benefits was pending prior to his death. The appellant has submitted a timely request for substitution, and the burial benefits claim is inextricably intertwined with this pending claim. The matter is therefore remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease on a presumptive basis due to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. The condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the initial compensable rating for right lower extremity inguinal nerve entrapment associated with inguinal hernia status post-repair with mesh. The Veteran's disability is rated as moderate, but his symptoms are severe and interfere with employment.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from military service was under Other Than Honorable (OTH) conditions, which constitutes a bar for VA benefits. The appeal is denied as there are no exceptions to this statutory bar.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation with aortic valve stenosis should be remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding aggravation and causation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his cervical spine disability, right knee instability, and right thumb disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition is related to service. The Veteran was required to wear shower shoes for 7 days after reporting a sore on his right foot during basic training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of ischemic stroke has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current loss of smell is due to a nose fracture during service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a nose fracture injury with loss of smell.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for respiratory, skin, and urinary conditions due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The examination findings were inadequate as they did not consider all relevant evidence of record, including medical records showing asthma, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and hives over the body during winter. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to herbicide agent exposure.