Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma due to incomplete records and failure to obtain additional radiation exposure information. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination of Muscle Group XVII and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a right hand 3rd finger chip fracture was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for education benefits in excess of the 70 percent level under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill).

The Board denied the claim for service connection of reactive arthritis, finding that it clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during or as a result of active duty service.

The Veteran's right hip disability, prior to December 4, 2013, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms were limited to arthritis with painful but less than compensably limited motion. From December 4, 2013, he had limitations in flexion and adduction that did not warrant an increased rating.

The appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and unclear nature of the education benefits sought. The Veteran's military service history needs to be clarified, including his subsequent service in the Reserves and National Guard.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic insomnia did not manifest in service and is not related to her military service. Therefore, she does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant and Veteran did not establish a valid common law marriage following their divorce, thus denying her claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, and periodontal disease are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a disability. The claims for GERD and asthma have been reopened due to new evidence received since January 2013. The rating for headaches has been granted up to 30 percent prior to October 13, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for an examination.

The Veteran's children are granted additional compensation benefits based on their school attendance, effective from September 1, 2009.

The Board found that the overpayment of pension benefits in the amount of $8,419 was not properly created due to a failure by VA to acknowledge timely submission of requested documents.

The Board finds that the Veteran's treatment at Capital Regional Medical Center on February 19, 2011 was emergent due to his symptoms of blood tinged vomiting and bloody stools. As a result, payment for unauthorized medical expenses incurred during this period is granted.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional information regarding the appellant's marital status and relationship with the Veteran, as well as any relevant court documents. The appellant must provide copies of her May 2013 claim for DIC benefits and a VA letter asking for additional information on her marital status.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of the removal of a polyp from his right vocal cord resulted in chronic laryngitis. However, there is no evidence of nodules, polyps, thickening or submucous infiltration on examination, which are required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6516.

The Board found that the Appellant is not a 'Veteran' for purposes of eligibility to VA benefits due to lack of confirmed service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board is remanding the case due to the Veteran not appearing for a Travel Board hearing, and scheduling another one.

The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for further development and an examination to determine if it is related to his service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The current VA opinions are inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's statements about symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's cardiac catheterization at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center was not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health, and VA facilities were feasibly available but the Veteran refused transfer.