Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's HIV/AIDS and whether he was exposed to any presumptive conditions during service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's death was due to idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome, which the Board found to be related to his exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board denied reimbursement of expenses from accrued benefits based on the Veteran's last illness as there was no evidence showing that the expenses were for medical care related to the Veteran's last sickness or burial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot arthritis and left eye disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's onychomycosis has infected less than 5 percent of his total body area or total exposed body area, and has not required treatment with systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs. The Board finds that the current noncompensable rating assigned for this condition is appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension is denied as he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for nonservice-connection pension due to lack of qualifying military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee was incurred during service and is not aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's son, the Appellant, was not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits until he turned 18 in May 2004. His eligibility period ended when he reached age 26 in May 2012. The Appellant requested an extension to complete his education due to family obligations and hospitalization of the Veteran, but this was denied as there were no provisions for extending the delimiting date based on familial circumstances.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Crohn's disease and granted service connection for inflammatory bowel disease, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to herbicides during active service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Citrus Memorial Hospital were not reimbursable due to the presence of private insurance coverage.

The Veteran's cardiac rehabilitation treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health, and no VA facility was feasibly available. Therefore, the criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses are not met.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA physician's opinion on whether the Veteran's esophageal cancer may be related to his military service. The appeal will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Veteran's emergency medical treatment at Sturgis Hospital on October 13, 2010 was authorized by VA within 72 hours of admission and is therefore eligible for reimbursement.

The Veteran's income for the year 2009 did not exceed the threshold required to qualify for VA health care without copayment, and after excluding proceeds from the sale of securities, his income was below the threshold. Therefore, he is granted treatment in the VA healthcare system without a copayment requirement beginning August 13, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of representation and requires that the Appellant and her attorney complete necessary forms before further action can be taken.

The Board found that the Veteran's selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency was incurred in service and is related to her current symptoms, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability is not etiologically related to his active service and does not warrant presumptive service connection for arthritis. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of the recovery of an overpayment of non service-connected pension benefits in the amount of $4,366.83 was not timely filed and is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his Social Security disability records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.