Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits was denied as he did not meet the legal criteria, despite his contention that he should be eligible due to his length of service and points earned. The appeal is based on interpretation of the applicable laws pertaining to eligibility for home loan benefit.

The Veteran's current gout, to include gouty arthritis (also claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), is related to his active duty service and the Board finds that service connection for these conditions is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including contacting the appellant and verifying her contact information, as well as obtaining additional information about the Veteran's service in Vietnam and the circumstances of his award of the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed heart disability, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issue of higher initial ratings for status-post right pectoralis major muscle tear with reanastomosis.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on May 17, 2012 was denied because the treatment did not constitute an emergency and prior authorization from VA was not obtained. The Board found that the Veteran received non-emergent care without prior authorization.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for post encephalitis syndrome, optic neuritis as secondary to post encephalitis syndrome, and temporomandibular joint disability with myofascial pain disorder as secondary to seizure disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to new evidence submitted by the Appellant and a need to consider additional medical opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disability is not related to his military service, including a diagnosis of pleurisy in 1957. The VA examiner concluded that the calcified granuloma and early emphysema are unrelated to the pleurisy from service.

The Board has decided that the appellant's claim for basic entitlement to VA benefits, including a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) Fund, requires additional development due to issues with verifying service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board found no evidence of a current sinus disorder and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, finding that his condition was not incurred in active duty and did not have its onset during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and VA treatment records, as well as conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service personnel records and transcripts of court martials. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis is reasonably shown to be related to his service-connected follicular occlusion triad, including hidradenitis suppurativa and acne.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as a result.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to his request. The issues of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for a spouse, and entitlement to a temporary total evaluation due to treatment are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Crohn's disease did not have its onset during active military service and is not etiologically related to, or otherwise permanently worsened beyond its natural progression by, his service-connected gastroduodenal ulcer.