Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his psychotic disorder and mood disorder has been remanded due to the failure to schedule a hearing at the correct address. The case is now pending for scheduling another video-conference hearing.

The Veteran died from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and was not in receipt of service-connected compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for VA burial benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including clarification of when the claim was filed and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that special procedural regulations for contested claims have not been followed and the case is being remanded to ensure compliance with these procedures.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an updated financial status report. The overpayment of disability compensation benefits will be further reviewed after receiving this information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as restrictive lung disease with chronic intermittent dyspnea, is related to exposure to jet fuel during service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability secondary to asbestos exposure and granted it, finding that there is at least a state of equipoise as to whether his military exposure caused this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ear disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA records and providing new VA examinations to assess his conjunctivitis/blepharitis and residuals of a right parietal occipital craniotomy (claimed as a brain tumor).

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current chest, numbness in legs and arms, or urinary disabilities to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether his DVT was related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's groin strain warrants a 10 percent disability rating since May 4, 2009. The condition is characterized by painful muscle spasms and difficulty urinating, which aligns with moderate impairment of Muscle Group XVI.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot condition and sleep disorder are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities, thus denying both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits in the amount of $5,071 resulting from his failure to report that he had divorced a previous spouse. The case is REMANDED for issuance of a Statement of the Case on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disorder and increased ratings for vertigo and left knee disability have been denied. The Veteran is already service connected for the residuals of his left orbit fracture, which includes his left eye symptoms as described above.

The Veteran's eligibility for copay exempt care was denied as his gross household income exceeded the applicable thresholds, and no allowable exclusions were provided. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's discharge from service was under other than honorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct, which constitutes a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected carcinoma of the rectosigmoid region, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a dental disorder, claimed as grinding teeth, including as secondary to PTSD, due to concerns about the adequacy of the evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected fracture of the fourth finger, left hand is being remanded due to a need for further examination and consideration.