Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation of her L5-S1 bulging disc with mild central spinal canal stenosis and narrowing inferior recess neural foramina was granted, but an evaluation in excess of 40 percent is denied. The Veteran's individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

Prior to June 7, 2019, the Veteran's RUE muscle rigidity was rated at 20 percent.,As of June 7, 2019, a rating of 30 percent for RUE muscle rigidity is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity neuralgia were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms or impairment characteristic of moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, warranting a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 17, 2019, and in excess of 40 percent from that date.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no service connection issues were decided.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's topical treatment (clindamycin and metronidazole) constitutes 'systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.'

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right eye disorder (refractive error) due to unclear records and a need for addendum opinions regarding the onset of visual field defect.

The Veteran is competent to manage his own VA funds and handle the disbursement of funds, as he has demonstrated financial independence and competency.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Appellant's active service and character of discharge. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for costochondritis is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. His claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it has been reasonably raised by his testimony and treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide the appellant with a copy of the supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The AOJ needs to verify the appellant's current address and send copies of the SSOC to her verified address.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records, Social Security Administration information, and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of updated VA and private treatment records, and because the competency of the October 2019 VA examiner needs to be verified by associating their curriculum vitae with the record.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent evaluation for nephropathy from January 1, 2013 to April 18, 2014 due to insufficient evidence showing sustained improvement in his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for blindness in the right eye and blurred vision, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Retina Consultants of Western New York on April 22, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and therefore, service connection for CHF is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability manifested by loss of balance has been denied as there is no evidence of such a condition not already service-connected.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for ileoinguinal nerve injury, status post-surgery for left hernia due to the lack of evidence showing that the surgery caused the Veteran's additional disability or that VA was at fault.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations used in denying a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected left second metatarsal fracture. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the condition and determine if a higher rating can be granted.