Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's case is being remanded to provide a VA examination for his Peyronie's disease and to determine if he qualifies for SMC for loss of use of a creative organ. The claims are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's sinus disability is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for small b-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for nosebleeds, which he claims are related to his active duty in the Persian Gulf War. The VA examiner found a clear and specific etiology for the condition but did not provide an explanation or rationale for this statement. Therefore, the case has been remanded for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's pulmonary embolism did not originate from his service-connected right leg fracture and is less likely caused by or aggravated by this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not have service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, he is not eligible for VA disability compensation and pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's death did not result from a pending disability claim at the time of his passing, thus denying accrued benefits.

The Veteran's glioblastoma multiform brain cancer is found to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a reduction of his bilateral hearing loss rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was granted. The effective date is April 1, 2009.

The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for each knee (right and left) for patellar subluxation, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected carcinoma of the right lung in remission is not considered to be due to his lobectomy, and his current respiratory impairment is attributed to his pre-existing emphysema and COPD. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 6844.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for cold weather injury residuals affecting all joints, finding that the new evidence did not address an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral dry eye syndrome is rated at a 20 percent disability rating since the effective date of the award of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the unduly remote nature of his last examination, which may not accurately reflect the current severity of his service-connected foot conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify how the overpayment was calculated and to allow the Veteran to provide necessary information regarding his medical expenses. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and corrective action is necessary. The Veteran's heart disabilities are being examined to determine their likely etiology, whether they are related to his service or to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran's medical condition was of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to their life or health. The criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on November 23, 2015 are met.