Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies and requested additional financial information from both parties. The Veteran's incarceration period is also under consideration for increased apportionment benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of a Statement of the Case and the need for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred on September 11, 2011, is denied as the treatment was not for a service-connected disability and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance (A&A)/housebound status is denied as the Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's pulmonary disorder is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's macular degeneration was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 1, 2011 for the payment of additional compensation for a dependent child based on school attendance is denied. The Board found that VA did not receive a timely claim and that the earliest start date was August 25, 2011, with payments beginning on September 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on February 14, 2013 by private providers is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the original bill and remaining amount not covered by Medicare. Additionally, clarification is needed about whether the Veteran was enrolled in VA health care system within the previous 24 months.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck condition did not originate during service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance at the 100 percent rate as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his creditable active duty being less than 36 months.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether current foot fungus had its onset during active duty, and therefore grants service connection for foot fungus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol and cardiovascular symptoms were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a dental condition for treatment purposes is granted, as he meets the eligibility requirement due to his major depression with psychotic features rated at 100 percent by schedular evaluation.

The Board found no current diagnosed pulmonary disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, as the service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability impacts this issue. The Veteran's service connection claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's inability to attend a previously scheduled hearing and her desire for a local RO hearing in Columbia, South Carolina.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's colorectal cancer residuals are not related to service or any incident thereof, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected stroke residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's brain disorder, including dementia and frontotemporal brain sagging syndrome, had its onset during his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.