Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current scoliosis and its relationship, if any, to his in-service tilted pelvis. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

Service connection was granted for residuals of a left thumb fracture, but no service connection was established for residuals of a left foot cold injury. The Veteran's MDD is rated at 10 percent effective July 25, 2012 and 100 percent effective April 25, 2013.

The Board has determined that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on herbicide exposure in service is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Appellant.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of indebtedness in the amount of $20,351.77 was denied as there is indication of misrepresentation on his part and collection would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the service-connected residuals of fractured hamate bone of the right hand, effective from August 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The TDIU issue is intertwined with the application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include agoraphobia.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's eye disability, as his defective vision and colorblindness were noted at entrance but improved by discharge. The Board also found no competent evidence linking any current acquired eye disorders to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in its analysis, including an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of electrical shock is now before the Board again.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on July 11, 2013 were reimbursed as the treatment was for a service-connected disability (total permanent disability), and VA facilities were not reasonably available.

The Board finds that the cause of the Veteran's death, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, was not related to his military service or any of his service-connected disabilities. The medications he took for his service-connected injuries did not substantially contribute to his death.

The Board has determined that the overpayment in the amount of $7,955 was validly created due to failure to notify VA of a divorce from former spouse V.N. and is therefore denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by scleroderma, but the Board finds that his in-service asbestos exposure contributed to this condition and thus indirectly contributed to his death. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for Social Security Administration (SSA) records and updated VA medical center records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a stroke and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between sleep disorder and service, including in-service symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus caused his left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's spouse is now eligible for additional disability compensation, but the effective date of this award needs to be determined.

The Veteran's income is not in excess of the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR), and he is receiving the maximum amount for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, to include colitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychosis, not otherwise specified, did not have its onset during service or is related to service. The claim was reopened based on new evidence but still denied.