Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's recurrent UTIs have been rated as noncompensable since January 8, 2007. Since October 8, 2012, the Veteran has been granted a 10 percent rating for her service-connected recurrent UTIs.

The Veteran died of colon cancer, which is not attributable to his service or exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hernia has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a written statement dated in May 2016.

The Board denied payment of accrued benefits for reimbursement of the surviving spouse's final expenses because all benefits to which she was entitled at her death were paid.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. Other issues of service connection and increased ratings are also pending.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis has not been manifested by pronounced symptoms of marked malnutrition and anemia, or serious complications such as liver abscess for the period since September 26, 2015.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right hand disability and determine if he has any neurological manifestations related to his in-service injury. The TDIU claim may also be impacted by this development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot calluses and burns on both arms are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his current back disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The case must also be remanded because of the VA examiner's statements indicating that the requested opinion could not be answered without speculation.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of supraglottis (larynx) was granted service connection, but the effective date for this grant is being remanded to obtain additional inpatient treatment records from VA facilities.

The Veteran seeks compensation for a liver disorder under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to medication prescribed for his service-connected spinal disorder. The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's liver condition qualifies as an 'additional disability' and whether VA care was at fault.

The Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions, and the accrued benefits claim for special monthly compensation based on being housebound/in need of aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fractured tooth #9 did not result in a compensable disability, as missing teeth are only considered disabilities when due to loss of substance of the body of maxilla or mandible. Therefore, service connection for residuals of fractured tooth #9 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 13, 2010 for the award of service connection for cancer of the oropharynx was denied as neither a formal nor informal claim was received before this date.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral Achilles tendonitis and granted it. The Veteran's new theory of entitlement, which is related to VA care during his treatment at a VA medical facility, was found to be supported by new and material evidence.

The appellant is requesting an extension of the delimiting date for eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Title 38, U.S. Code, Chapter 35. The case has been remanded due to failure to provide notice of a scheduled videoconference hearing.

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

The Board denied the Appellant's claim to file a DIC benefits claim on behalf of her adult child because she is not an eligible claimant and lacks standing.

The Board denied the appellant's notice of disagreement with the August 2013 decision that denied DIC, death pension, and accrued benefits. The NOD was not timely filed.