Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claims can be adjudicated on the merits. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to the need for additional development of his diabetes and right foot diabetic ulcers claims, which are inextricably intertwined with his current service connection claim. The case is now REMANDED for further action.

The Board is unable to determine the validity of the overpayment amount due to unclear documentation, and requires additional development to clarify how the $21,615.08 was calculated.

The Veteran's eligibility for specially adapted housing was established, but the Appellant did not have appropriate title to his mobile home. The grant application was denied as a matter of law due to it not being a periodic monetary benefit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension has been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his income and expenses, particularly related to unreimbursed medical expenses and assisted living facility costs.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's January 28, 2013 treatment at the Capital Regional Medical Center was of a non-emergent nature. The Board found no basis to grant his claim for repayment of unauthorized medical expenses.

The Veteran is requesting a change in his Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) to enable him to continue training so that he may meet the requirements for licensure or certification to be a substance abuse counselor in his home state. The VR&E division should reassess the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation needs and determine whether additional services are warranted, including extensions of the basic period of eligibility or maximum allowable monthly benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's right leg disorder is not related to service or her service-connected gynecological condition, and thus denied her claim.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees are currently rated at 10 percent each effective April 21, 2000. The Board has granted initial ratings of 10 percent from July 9, 1995 to April 20, 2000 for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right foot condition. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether any current right foot conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $20,620.53 was properly created and that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected sclerosis of L5-S1 facet articulation was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for thrombophlebitis of the right leg and an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus with bilateral hallux valgus, severe, and hammer toe deformities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including degenerative bone disease, skin disorder, lung disorder, throat cancer, and peripheral vascular disease. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's end stage liver cancer-cholangioma, which is presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, was caused by his service-connected conditions and thus warrants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye disability is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides or flames. The claim for service connection for loss of vision in the left eye is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left spontaneous pneumothorax does not result in any current disability, and therefore a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the cause of death (cardio-respiratory arrest due to multiple system failure) is not linked to his military service or exposure to asbestos.