Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis is being remanded due to the need for updated medical evidence and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for cholangiocarcinoma, finding it was caused by the Veteran's in-service exposure to liver fluke parasites during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand two cases regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders due to a lack of proper range of motion testing in previous examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a CRDP payment in excess of $4,944.00 for July 1, 2004 to December 1, 2005 as there is no provision of law under which the Board may grant the relief sought by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits due to concurrent receipt with DFAS payments is remanded. The amount and timing of the overpayment need further clarification.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiorespiratory arrest due to sepsis syndrome, is not related to his active service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran’s death was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's request for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Grand Rapids Ophthalmology on September 29 and September 30, 2014 is denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency medical treatment.

The Board has determined that the appellant is the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits purposes, considering her continuous cohabitation with the Veteran until his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Appellant's income and medical expenses from December 2016 forward, which is necessary for determining eligibility for death pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for a new opinion regarding service connection for abnormal skin growth on the nose and lower lip, including as secondary to service-connected vitiligo.

The Veteran died while under the care of a VA-contracted hospice organization at VA's expense, meeting the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for his left and right hand arthritis, finding that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records, requiring further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, specifically the meniscal condition, is currently rated at 20 percent and cannot be increased as it has reached the maximum schedular rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a testicular disability, finding that there is no current diagnosed condition and thus no basis to grant service connection.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less due to pain and other factors, has been granted a 40 percent rating effective January 17, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot conditions due to a lack of VA examination and missing service treatment records. The Veteran contends that he suffered cold weather exposure injuries during his time in Canada, leading to current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was found to be manifested by pain, instability, swelling, loss of strength, and occasional use of a brace. For the period prior to December 18, 2019, the criteria for a higher rating were not met. For the period from December 19, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's range of motion was limited with pain during weight-bearing activities.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for non-displaced fracture of the left fifth toe and residuals broken second toe left foot, finding that symptoms were not moderately severe.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome and has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.