Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to clarify how a refund check of $710.83 was issued and whether it was cashed or returned.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung disease and its relation to service. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an eye examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is also being remanded.

The Veteran's estranged spouse is seeking recognition as the Veteran's spouse for receiving apportionment benefits. The case has been remanded due to a request for a Video Conference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral elbow bursitis, epicondylitis, and degenerative arthritis are related to his active military service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia patella are also found to be related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Appellant's eligibility for CHAMPVA benefits from December 1, 2002 to August 31, 2012 due to her not being enrolled in Medicare Part B at that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current eye disorder, and any cataracts he currently has are not service-connected as they were due to natural aging process rather than an in-service injury or disease. The other issues on appeal remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a clothing allowance are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's mood disorder was manifested by symptoms productive of no more than occupational and social impairment most comparable to reduced reliability and productivity with difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships from August 20, 2003 through December 12, 2010. From December 13, 2010 through April 23, 2012, the Veteran's mood disorder was manifested by symptoms productive of no more than occupational and social impairment most comparable to reduced reliability and productivity with difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. As of April 24, 2012, the Veteran's mood disorder has been manifested by symptoms productive of no more than occupational and social impairment most comparable to deficiencies in most areas, to include an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is found to be directly related to his exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled videoconference hearing, and the need to verify his current address and schedule him for another hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) or any other organic disease of the nervous system. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to secure medical records and witness statements related to his claims of additional disability, including an infection of the right hip and femur, a fracture, and premature release from VA care.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran provided all necessary information for adding dependents to his compensation award. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right calf disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing and to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for epididymitis. If new and material evidence is found, the Board will decide whether service connection should be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is related to his exposure to asbestos in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right testicle atrophy was not found to warrant a compensable rating from March 4, 1988, to January 29, 1990.

The Board has remanded the case to refer it to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral chondromalacia patella.