Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran is seeking compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for left and right eye disabilities allegedly caused by VA medical care, including a procedure on April 9, 2009.

The Veteran, who died prior to November 1, 1990, is buried in a private cemetery and his grave is currently marked with a privately purchased marker. The claim for a Government-furnished headstone or grave marker is denied as the legal criteria are not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's National Guard service was not considered active duty and thus did not meet the threshold criteria for basic eligibility for non-service-connected pension benefits. As a result, the termination of nonservice-connected death pension benefits was deemed proper.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits due to a lack of service on active duty and failure to meet the six-year reserve service requirement.

The Board has granted service connection for left inguinal hernia and left varicocele, both status post surgical repair, finding that the congenital conditions were aggravated by a superimposed injury in service.

The Veteran's depressive mood disorder prior to January 5, 2009 resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms including depression, anxiety, and mild memory loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide him with an opportunity for a hearing, as he missed his scheduled videoconference hearing due to hospitalization. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on July 7, 2011 at Sparrow Hospital were reimbursed because the treatment was necessary due to an emergent condition (fluttering in head and eyes, chest cramps, blurred vision, dizziness) that required immediate attention. The closest VA facility was over an hour away, making it not feasible for the Veteran's medical needs.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability and loss of teeth were not found to be related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability, finding it presumptively related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed costochondritis and Tietze syndrome are not related to service, as his current symptoms do not align with a chronic condition present during service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for 2014 is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the lack of information regarding his periods of service and because a videoconference hearing has not been scheduled. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's left eye disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion to determine if the condition was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's right knee condition, diagnosed as patellofemoral syndrome, is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5259. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current functional impairment of the knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's brain disability and his service-connected prostate cancer residuals, including radiation therapy. The examiner must also address whether the Veteran's brain disability is related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints, findings, or treatment for a heart disability during his active duty. The VA examiner found that the mitral systolic murmur did not worsen beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for clarification on whether his other psychiatric disabilities are part of or related to his service-connected dysthymic disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rectum drainage is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected painful scar on sacrum, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The right hand disability claim remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability, including as due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to active service or any incident of service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.