Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's medical records and a VA opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The case is now remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the appellant qualifies as a surviving spouse for purposes of Dependents Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral varicocele/hydrocele is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for CHAMPVA benefits prior to July 1, 2010, as she was not enrolled in Medicare Part B at that time.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's esophageal cancer was not related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam and that none of his service-connected disabilities, singly or together, were either the principal or a contributory cause of his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Sutter Memorial Hospital from May 15, 2011 to May 16, 2011 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete response and need for additional development, including a VA examination and adjudication of the COPD claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's multiple joint pain is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for non-small cell carcinoma of the lung was denied as there is no evidence that he had filed a prior claim or intent to file one before October 27, 2011. The effective date assigned is October 27, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by proteinuria, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a skin disability or lung disability as a result of military service and denied both claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund due to lack of qualifying service as per the service department's certification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain and sleep disturbance were denied as they are not related to his active duty or a service-connected disability. His claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was partially granted.

The Veteran's appeal for medical expense reimbursement has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's skin disability was denied service connection, while his diabetes and PTSD were granted initial ratings. The skin disability claim is based on direct evidence rather than a presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's foot disabilities.

The Veteran's left fifth finger disability is not rated compensably due to the lack of evidence showing unfavorable ankylosis or amputation.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for right rotator cuff tear with repair due to his June 2007 fall causing a ligament tear in his right shoulder. The case is being remanded for further examination and nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a fracture of the fifth metacarpal of the right hand is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records.