Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the legacy appeal for service connection due to the Veteran's choice to opt-in to the Appeals Modernization Act, which removed the appeal from their jurisdiction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and basal cell carcinoma are related to his in-service sun exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by gingival squamous cell carcinoma, which the Board found not to be related to his service. The Board determined that tobacco use was more significant in causing the cancer than any herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the presence and etiology of throat surgery residuals. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip disabilities have resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring the use of assistive devices such as canes and wheelchairs. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for dorsal spine DJD with chronic pain syndrome was granted at 20 percent prior to January 14, 2020 and denied thereafter. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU from June 11, 2013 to August 15, 2016 and from November 1, 2016.

The Board denied a higher evaluation for the Veteran's status repair of right lower quadrant abdominal hernia, finding that his condition does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's osteoporosis of the ring and little finger, right hand has worsened. The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's skin rashes are related to his active duty service, including exposure to burn pits and oil fires during service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for her service-connected anterior compression fracture at L4 due to a lack of compliance with the March 2019 Board remand. The case is being returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives and that corrective action is necessary. The Veteran's skin conditions, including dermatophytosis of the groin, miliaria, and foot fungal infection, need to be evaluated again due to a lack of recent medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for endometriosis with history of bilateral ovarian cysts and total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal prior to a decision being made. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for osteoporosis is remanded, as well as her TDIU claim which is inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for gout is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for osteopenia/osteoporosis of the right hip, impairment of the thigh of the right hip, and limitation of flexion of the right hip due to inadequate VA medical examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination that complies with Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) and Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Board has determined that the removal of the Veteran's child from her VA compensation award due to concurrent receipt of Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, United States Code was proper and resulted in a valid overpayment. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various knee, shoulder, wrist, cervical, thoracolumbar strain, and radiculopathy disabilities due to incomplete VA treatment records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's inguinal hernia, finding that it is related to his active service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, specifically a need for clarification regarding the Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder. The claim for increased disability evaluation and TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with this issue.