Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's residuals of pulmonary embolism require lifelong anticoagulant therapy, which is rated at a 60 percent disability rating since February 27, 2009.

The Veteran is seeking compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for paralysis, bilateral lower extremities, due to cervical spinal plasmacytoma with multiple myeloma. The case is REMANDED to schedule a VA examination and obtain an opinion on whether any additional disability was proximately caused by VA's failure to diagnose the Veteran earlier or not scheduling him for a follow up appointment prior to October 2, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed regarding the Veteran's eligibility for VA dental treatment and to determine if there was any authorization of such services. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back and pelvic disabilities due to new evidence provided by his private physician at a videoconference hearing. The Board also found that the Veteran's current condition was aggravated beyond the natural progression during military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cold weather injury residuals of the lower extremities and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to cold weather during his military service, which is consistent with the current disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's status post right inguinal hernia repair disability is etiologically related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and verifying the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange. The appellant must clarify whether she wishes to pursue the claim as a substitute or for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hydrocelectomy surgery did not result in additional disability of the testicles or scrotum, and there is no evidence that VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault caused this additional disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a carcinoid tumor of the small bowel, which he claims was caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's carcinoid tumor is related to herbicide exposure and/or his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's current gout disability had its onset in service, and the Board finds that the evidence supports the grant of service connection for gout.

The Board found that the Veteran's glioblastoma is at least as likely as not caused by his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for the brain tumor was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding records.

The Board has determined that there is a need for additional information regarding the Veteran's income and expenses, particularly from 2014 to present. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has restored the Veteran's rating for herpes from 10 percent to 60 percent, finding that the reduction was not supported by evidence in the record and that Acyclovir, the prescribed medication, is similar to an immunosuppressant.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the validity of an overpayment, and the appellant is given a chance to respond with additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for cold injury residuals to his bilateral hands. The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical nexus opinion are needed, as the in-service exposure to cold weather may be related to current hand disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disability, consistent with constrictive bronchiolitis, is related to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War and grants service connection for this condition.