Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for further development, including verification of his claimed exposure.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 19 and 20, 2013, at Whidbey General Hospital was denied because he had coverage under a health-plan contract.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a tongue, lip, and roof of mouth injury. The Veteran had in-service injuries to his tongue, lip, and roof of mouth which are considered direct service connection due to the nature of the injury occurring during active duty.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's residuals of a sesamoid fracture in the left foot were incurred during military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus and hammertoe disabilities are related to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TMJ, a memory disorder secondary to TBI, and a psychiatric disorder secondary to TBI were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability with respect to these conditions and that they are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's vulvar cancer is not related to her military service and denied her claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of ventral hernia surgery were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The Veteran's claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a gynecological disorder, claimed as cancer, was denied because there is no evidence of additional disability caused by VA treatment.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for residuals of right distal 3 radius fracture (right wrist fracture) and associated limitation of motion of the right hand is being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the appellant cannot be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death benefits and accrued benefits due to a lack of evidence establishing her status as such. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left carotid stenosis, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and traumatic brain injury due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the appropriate rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any residual chin injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA spine examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected scoliosis (low back pain), and a VA lower leg examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected shin splints.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right index and middle finger and left thumb disabilities, as well as TDIU claim review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if she currently has intervertebral disc syndrome (IDVS) or any other spine disability, and whether such disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating onychomycosis is denied. The claims of service connection for psychiatric and gastrointestinal disabilities are reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection at this time.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the ratings from 30 to 10 percent for cubital tunnel syndrome of the right elbow and from 20 to 10 percent for post-operative ulnar entrapment syndrome of the left elbow was not proper, and these reductions are void ab initio.