Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's mood disorder with alcohol abuse resulted in occupational and social impairment since February 10, 2012. The disability has been rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiac arrest due to systemic inflammatory syndrome, which is not service-connected. Service connection for PTSD has been granted but does not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an autoimmune disorder, ulcerative colitis/IBD, and arthritis, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination and the need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of her fatigue.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in the Philippines and whether this exposure is presumed to have caused or contributed to his lymphoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disorder is not shown to have been directly or presumptively incurred during his service and is not secondarily related either, meaning proximately due to, the result of, or being chronically aggravated by a service-connected disability - in particular his bilateral pes planus and low back disability.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA opinion to determine if the condition relates to service exposure. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The case is being remanded for the RO to provide notice regarding substitution claims and to readjudicate the appeal.

The appeal is being remanded due to issues with contested claim procedures and notification of the hearing. The Veteran's representative requested a videoconference hearing, but no notice was sent to the Appellant.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision to sever service connection for scleroderma with CREST syndrome was based on a misapplication of law, and thus improper. The appellant had qualifying service for VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining consent forms related to his colostomy procedure and ensuring that the informed consent process was appropriately documented.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current diagnosis and relationship of any diagnosed jaw disorder to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis in multiple joints, including his left hand, was not incurred or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated due to exposure to any specific service environment. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the service member's character of discharge was dishonorable due to willful and persistent misconduct, which constitutes a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for esophageal cancer and its residuals due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional pertinent evidence, including a statement from Dr. Staveley-O'Connor, and arrange for an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of $528 in VA disability benefits due to sole administrative error by VA.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the appellant can be recognized as the surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes, given conflicting evidence regarding her marital status at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability manifested by loss of teeth is denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence showing any damage to the jaw during service, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.