Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma were not incurred in service, including as due to exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a groin injury is being remanded due to the need for an examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including memory loss.

The RO denied service connection for a skin disorder, including as due to exposure to CARC paint used during the Gulf War. The Veteran's claim was reopened and reconsidered based on new evidence submitted by him, but the RO determined that there was no clear link between his claimed condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service is not considered to be during a period of war, thus he does not meet the eligibility criteria for VA pension benefits.

The Veteran's spine disability, which includes a herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 with left foraminal encroachment, has been rated as 40 percent disabling under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. This rating is based on symptoms such as pain, limitation of motion, and occasional antalgic gait.

The Veteran's death was not due to service-connected disabilities, and the criteria for burial benefits were not met as he did not meet any of the specified conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current eye conditions are related to her in-service LASIK surgery and whether any pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed skin disability, to include shingles, and bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome of the lower extremities. The examiner will also provide opinions regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that any such disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related thereto.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for loss of use of a creative organ, which he believes was caused by penile surgery performed at the Salt Lake VA Medical Center (VAMC) on October 21, 1997. The case has been remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the April 2011 VA examiner in light of additional evidence.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder was incurred in, or caused by, his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability during service and denied the claim as there is insufficient medical evidence to link the current condition to military service.

The Veteran's disability compensation benefits were terminated from January 29, 2004 to April 29, 2004 due to a fugitive felon warrant issued for violating probation terms. The appeal is denied as the termination was proper under VA law.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a skin disorder, including one affecting his bilateral feet. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical opinions regarding the cause of death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, but there are no specific details on exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current mood disorder, a psychiatric condition, was incurred during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claim for a waiver of overpayment in the amount of $11,820 was granted by the Board. The decision found that the fault primarily lies with the VA and that recovery would create undue hardship for the Veteran.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is related to any heart problems during service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of dental expenses incurred on August 30, 2011 and September 16, 2011 is granted as the Board finds that either tacit prior authorization was provided or prior authorization was not required.