Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's death was due to craniocerebral trauma with alcohol intoxication as a contributing cause. Service connection for the cause of death is denied, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service in the Army National Guard of Michigan does not qualify as active military, naval or air service and therefore cannot establish veteran status.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service. The case has been remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining dose estimates from VA and an opinion on whether the claimed exposures caused or contributed to the Veteran's condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiac disorder is not related to his service, including exposure to fuel and chemical fumes during service. The condition was first noted almost 20 years after separation from service.

The VA examiner found no evidence of a service connection for dyspepsia with obstipation, attributing the current condition to post-service treatment and medication. The Board finds further clarification is needed on the timing of the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of shin splints, and there is no evidence of such disorder prior to her filing of the claim. Therefore, she cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and incomplete treatment history.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of expenses related to his non-VA hospitalization from February 2, 2015 to February 4, 2015 has been granted by the Board. The claim was previously denied due to Medicare coverage, but this denial is overturned based on prior VA authorization and other eligibility criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected bilateral eye disability or dental disability for purposes of outpatient treatment. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right shin splints, finding that his symptoms are characterized by intermittent pain and occasional flare-ups. The Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms have been found credible.

The Board has already granted the claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during treatment at University Community Hospital- Fletcher between July 14, 2003, and July 19, 2003. No further action is required as this issue has been fully resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed sinus disorder and the need for additional development of service treatment records.

The Veteran's active duty service was not during a period of war, and his Reserve service does not qualify him for nonservice-connected pension benefits. Therefore, the claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his other non-service connected conditions and educational/work experience.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including sending a notice letter to the Veteran and conducting an audit of his VA compensation account during Fiscal Year 2010.

The Board found no relationship between the Veteran's Crohn's disease and his meningitis or Agent Orange exposure, explaining that the likely etiology was heredity. The Veteran's service connection claim for Crohn's disease is denied.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from December 14, 2012 to January 8, 2013 was denied as the emergent nature of his condition had ended and he could have been safely transferred to a VA facility.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic throat condition and hypertension, but granted service connection for a back condition. The lung disorder issue was remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus with hammer toe deformities was found to be permanently aggravated by service and currently rated at the highest schedular rating of 50 percent.