Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the reduction in VA disability compensation benefits for military drill pay due to an overpayment, finding that the creation of the debt was valid and not solely due to VA administrative error.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining an examiner's qualifications and providing them with relevant information.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity disorders, finding that there is no nexus between his current disabilities and his military service, including exposure to cold weather.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye condition, entitlement to an extraschedular evaluation for service-connected right leg DVT, and entitlement to TDIU due to issues with scheduling of examinations and potential need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Veteran's hypertensive vascular disease has been rated at 10 percent since December 7, 1996. The Board found that the Veteran's systolic and diastolic blood pressures have not consistently met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current foot disability is related to his in-service cold weather exposure. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran currently has a disability and, if so, whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

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

The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 1, 2010 for the award of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) because the Appellant had a pending claim within one year from the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for essential tremors of both hands, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that the presumption of regularity held and there was no clear evidence to rebut it. The Appellant argued she never received notification of a November 1997 rating decision denying her petition to reopen her claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's recurrent peri-anal abscesses were manifestations of his Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis during service. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder, specifically whether it is related to his active duty service and/or herbicide exposure. The Veteran will need to provide additional records and a new VA medical opinion.