Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, which is not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions that could have contributed to his death. The Board finds that the cause of death does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to his request for postponement. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's pancreatic cancer with metastatic lung and liver disease is related to service, including presumed Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam and contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. The issue of payment or reimbursement for medical expenses will be addressed in accordance with established procedures.

The Board has determined that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted due to asbestos exposure during service, which contributed substantially or materially to his lung cancer and subsequent death.

The Committee on Waivers and Compromises granted a waiver of the overpayment in full, rendering moot any appeal.

The Veteran's esophagus disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining cervical spine imaging and providing an opinion on the relationship between his service-connected cervical spine disability and his claimed esophagus disability.

The Board determined that the Appellant is not the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA purposes due to their divorce at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from Dover Air Force Base Hospital.

The Board found no current evidence of a diagnosed skin disorder and determined that the Veteran's symptoms are less likely related to service, specifically noting that any reaction would have been limited in time and most likely presented as a rash.

The Board has granted the appellant's request for an effective date of August 22, 2009 for her eligibility to receive Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. The decision is based on credible evidence showing that she made a timely election within the required timeframe.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of an overpayment debt related to education benefits in the amount of $22,015.73 as his request was not timely filed within the 180-day period following notification of indebtedness.

The Veteran's colostomy frequently leaks, causing irreparable staining to her clothing. The Board grants a clothing allowance based on the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected specified trauma and stress-related disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as well as obtaining additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed left leg disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), or any period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The claim was denied as there is no evidence linking the current left leg disability to service.

The Veteran's claim for an early effective date for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was granted, but the lump sum of retroactive benefits was withheld due to a proposed finding of incompetency. The Appellant is not eligible to receive these accrued benefits as they are not payable to the estate or survivors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart valve condition was not caused by his service, nor was it caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete evidentiary development.

The Board has granted a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected left varicocele/spermatocele and denied entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disability. The evidence does not support an extraschedular evaluation, as the Veteran's symptoms are adequately described by the current schedular criteria.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and a rating in excess of 20 percent for hallux valgus with degenerative changes. The motion alleging CUE was denied.