Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's net worth is not considered excessive for the purpose of establishing entitlement to VA non-service-connected pension benefits, and his appeal based on this issue is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of right ulnar nerve entrapment was granted in December 2018. The effective date is August 1, 2012. Attorney fees were awarded based on past-due benefits from the effective date to March 2, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as he was not reasonably discharging his responsibility for supporting his dependent child A.W. The decision is based on the evidence of record at the time of the August 2019 rating decision.

The veteran's spouse has withdrawn her appeals for accrued benefits and death pension benefits, thus the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma related disorder is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral lagophthalmos and his TDIU prior to April 17, 2018 were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or TDIU based on service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracic strain, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that it began during active duty.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and impairment of the right lower extremity as a residual of epidural abscess of the thoracic spine are granted with specific ratings, while TDIU for the period from March 28, 2007 to April 13, 2007 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right eye amblyopia prior to February 26, 2019 and a rating in excess of 30 percent from that date. The additional evidence must be reviewed by the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hand disability, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service or service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board found that the appellant's single offense of marijuana possession did not constitute willful and persistent misconduct, thus his OTH discharge is not a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected Crohn's disease with right partial colectomy and terminal ileum resection, and pancreatic neoplasm.

The DIC claim is denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of continuous total disability rating. The cause of death remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip disorder, which may be related to his service-connected left hip disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophageal cancer is related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for syringomyelia and TDIU due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if her symptoms are residuals of her service-connected syringomyelia.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and home health aide/home maker records. The Veteran is required to provide names and addresses of all medical care providers who have treated him for his service-connected disabilities, and updated VA treatment records since July 23, 2020 are needed.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for colon cancer were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of an increase in severity within one year prior to November 21, 2012, and also denied her claim due to her failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a vision disorder, other than left eye ptosis, including secondary to traumatic injury due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung and prostate disabilities due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.