Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claim for TDIU will also be considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining relevant private records.

The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated as a moderate injury, warranting a 10% rating. The claim for TDIU has been referred to the RO and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The case is being remanded to ensure proper notification and assistance have been provided for the DIC, accrued benefits, and death pension claims. The appellant will be provided with complete notice as required by Hupp v. Nicholson, and her claim for improved death pension benefits will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left eye disability and its impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's cause of death is related to laryngeal cancer, which became a presumptive disease due to exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is June 9, 1994.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's skin disorder and its relation to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the current level of his service-connected left hip disability and whether a reduction in evaluation from 40 percent to 10 percent effective April 1, 2012, was proper. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 23, 1998. The effective date for the grant of TDIU is set at January 23, 1998.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as a psychosis, is presumed to have been incurred during active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The low back disability claim was remanded again due to insufficient notice provided.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of cold injury to the upper and lower extremities is granted, as his current symptoms are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hammertoes and bilateral hallux rigidus remains pending due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting statements regarding what he desires to appeal and the need for a hearing before a member of the Board sitting at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to an inextricably intertwined issue regarding service connection for residuals of a CVA, claimed as secondary to PTSD. The case will be readjudicated with consideration of all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the increased rating for service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. As a result, this issue is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment on March 20, 2013, at Munroe Regional Medical Center were reimbursable due to the emergent nature of his symptoms and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a change in the hearing officer, and he wishes to have another hearing before the Board.