Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding exposure and medical opinions are needed on whether strokes and colon cancer are related to service, including any potential exposure.

The Board has determined that the termination of the Veteran's VA pension benefits was improper and has restored his benefits.

The Veteran's death in April 2013 rendered the appellant without legal standing to pursue this appeal for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at NHH from August 4, 2010 to October 27, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and a chronic lumbar strain, is etiologically related to active duty service.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's neurological impairment of the right lower extremity, diagnosed as right leg radiculopathy, was incurred due to her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. Similarly, the neurological impairment of the left lower extremity is also considered secondary to her low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of stress fractures in the right and left lower legs are being remanded due to insufficient examination and need for additional information.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant received $600 for burial benefits as per VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a full audit of the overpayment amount and an explanation of how it was calculated. The Veteran will be provided with an accounting and given time to respond.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing with a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pleural plaques was initially denied in April 2003, but reopened and granted effective from April 28, 2009. The Board found that the original denial did not involve CUE.

The Board found that the Appellant's late husband had no military service, and thus did not meet the basic eligibility criteria for VA DIC, death pension, or accrued benefits.

The Veteran is not eligible for education program 'kicker' payments from Chapter 1606 as payable under Chapter 33 because she did not make an irrevocable election to relinquish eligibility under Chapter 1606.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a chronic skin rash was denied in February 2011. New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim, but service connection remains denied. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. His hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran experiences a separately identifiable visual disorder of the bilateral eyes, which is related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. As such, the claim for secondary service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's post-operative right inguinal hernia did not recur and was asymptomatic, thus denying a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on November 6, 2010 at Peace River Regional Medical Center were not reimbursable due to lack of prior authorization and because the Veteran had other insurance coverage (Medicare) that covered part of his bill.

The Veteran's right Achilles' tendonitis has not caused market impairment since November 10, 2007. The Board found that a higher rating of 20 percent for marked impairment was not warranted during the appeal period.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center were covered by VA as the treatment was for a service-connected disability (unsteady gait, possible normal pressure hydrocephalus) and there was no delay in seeking immediate medical attention due to an emergency.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that his left eye disability does not meet the criteria for service connection. The issue of COPD is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has remanded the case for further action including an audit of the Veteran's inpatient care and a determination on whether the appellant is eligible for reimbursement from VA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hammertoe is related to his service-connected foot disabilities or any incident of service.