Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's thoracic spine compression, finding that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating of 40 percent. The evidence showed limited forward flexion to 56 degrees with no additional loss of function on flare-ups.

The Veteran's genitourinary disability, including an enlarged prostate, is not related to service and denied.,The Veteran's skin disorder, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is also not related to service and denied.

The appeal was dismissed because the Veteran did not provide specific information about what issue he wanted to appeal or which decision he was disputing.

The Board has granted service connection for the sequelae of teeth extraction without prosthetic replacement, including loss of teeth and mandibular and maxillary bone atrophy. The decision is based on the Veteran's service records showing improper dental treatment during active duty resulting in missing teeth and subsequent bone atrophy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral cold injury with trench foot, finding that there is no evidence of such an injury during his active duty and no current disability related to it. The Board also noted that other diagnosed foot disabilities are not linked to his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) is related to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation from nuclear tipped warheads, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral flat foot and has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for polycythemia and erythrocytosis. The case is being returned to the RO with instructions to obtain missing VA and private treatment records, provide a VA examination, and consider the etiology of the Veteran's blood disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alopecia areata began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board concluded that the Veteran's right hip disorder is less likely related to her bilateral knee and left hip disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documentation related to a clothing allowance claim. The AOJ needs to reconstruct the record and upload all relevant documents to the electronic claims file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding no evidence that any diagnosed skin condition is attributable to his active service or exposure to toxic herbicides in Vietnam. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current skin disorders began during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for osteoporosis and residuals of head trauma due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a right eye disability due to insufficient consideration of all relevant evidence and lay assertions. The Veteran's testimony and medical records suggest a possible relationship between his current right eye disability and an in-service injury, but the VA examiner did not adequately address these points.

The Veteran's appeal for a respiratory condition was dismissed due to their death before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left middle finger disability, as the previous examination did not address the Veteran's reported symptoms regarding pain and cramping during flare-ups associated with cold weather.