Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA competency examination to determine his mental capacity to manage his own affairs, including the disbursement of funds without limitation.

The Board found that the Veteran's Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is not related to his active duty service, including any claimed exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not demonstrate a direct link between the Veteran's active duty service and his CLL, nor could it be presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rates from November 16, 2012 to November 16, 2014 and thus she is not entitled to nonservice-connected death pension benefits during this period.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral foot condition, including residuals of cold injury and arthritis, is not related to his military service. The appellant had an acute episode of mild frostbite during ACDUTRA in January 1983, but there is no evidence linking any current disability to this incident.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current skin disorder involving his feet had an onset during his period of service or is otherwise related to his period of service, including his presumed in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue disease. The case is REMANDED to obtain a VA examination and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new evaluation of his service-connected panic disorder and consideration of his claim for TDIU due to the need for additional development.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is granted as due to herbicide exposure, specifically burn pit exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in response to the December 2014 remand were inadequate and requires further development, including obtaining a new opinion from an appropriate physician with expertise in gastroenterology.

The Veteran's panic disorder with agoraphobia resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, but not total social impairment. The Board found that the current 70 percent rating adequately reflected his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further adjudication due to procedural issues regarding the timing of his initial substantive appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for urticaria prior to December 16, 2009, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed for service connection, but the appeal is not about a specific condition or exposure. The appellant requested a hearing and was scheduled for one on March 30, 2015, which has not been conducted.

The Veteran's prostate disorder is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and service. The AOJ will also attempt to verify any claimed exposure to mustard gas and nerve gas.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of reactive arthritis, and there is no evidence of an in-service manifestation or continuous symptoms since separation from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for reactive arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The appellant does not have qualifying active service to include 90 days or more during a period of war, and therefore, his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of rectal abscess requiring surgery with incontinence and unable to hold bowel (also claimed as anal fistula with perirectal abscess requiring surgery) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. The issue of payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses will be addressed after the hearing.