Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's somatic symptom disorder, finding that his symptoms more closely approximate those described by the 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 21, 2007 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because prior to that date his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from in-patient hospitalizations and a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed brain damage.

The Board denied service connection for a right collarbone disability and bilateral hip disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.,Specifically, the examiner noted no in-service injury or symptomatology related to the hips. The Veteran's current diagnoses of arthritis were attributed to obesity rather than cold weather exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral lagophthalmos and TDIU due to incomplete information from previous examinations. The case will be returned to the VA examiner to reconcile earlier diagnoses of epiphora with current findings, and to obtain any relevant non-VA medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent incisional hernias were not caused by VA carelessness or negligence, and were events not reasonably foreseeable. Therefore, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is granted.

The Veteran's right thumb MCP degenerative joint disease with unfavorable ankylosis is granted a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed because the claim of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, claimed as ulcerative colitis, has been fully granted with the award of service connection for chronic constipation.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for prostatitis effective November 28, 2000 and has also granted SMC at the housebound rate. The issue of entitlement to SMC in excess of that pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) is denied.

The Board has dismissed all three issues: whether the Veteran's spouse can be removed as his dependent for VA purposes, whether the reduction of his disability compensation payment was valid, and whether he is entitled to an effective date prior to June 3, 1987. The Veteran’s motion for reconsideration was denied in November 2019 and January 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination regarding the Veteran's skin condition, which is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding a higher rating for cardiomegaly on an extraschedular basis and for entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records from the Greater LA VAMC. The appellant is seeking service connection for myasthenia gravis, a respiratory disability, tricuspid regurgitation, fibromuscular dysplasia, and a skin condition, all allegedly related to exposure to Agent Orange in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorders, including skin irritation resulting from Gulf War environmental exposure. The case is sent back for additional development and a VA examination to clarify the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, finding that his current diagnoses of blepharitis, dry eyes, pinguecula, and sclerosis were not related to his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 23, 1998 for the award of service connection for Q-fever and a 100% rating since that date.

The Board has granted benefits for the appellant's child born with spina bifida, based on her father's presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for varicose veins affecting both lower extremities due to a lack of clarity in the November 1957 rating decision and the need for further clarification from the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating for GERD disability, and TDIU are being remanded due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left foot condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and active duty service.