Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for further action on whether good cause exists to extend the filing period for DEA benefits, and for consideration of the retroactive payment issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's essential tremors, which may be related to his service-connected psychiatric disability and medication.

The Veteran's service-connected disseminating strongyloides infection resulted in a temporary total rating based on hospitalization over 21 days. However, he does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation due to need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical treatment provided on March 2, 2015 at Lakeview Regional Medical Center is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his insurance coverage and eligibility for VA reimbursement.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection is granted as a result.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all appeal issues, including the claim for an increased rating for adjustment disorder. As a result, the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran's osteoradionecrosis is rated at 100 percent, rendering the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability moot.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a broken nose and a sinus condition, secondary to a broken nose due to new evidence provided during the appellate period.

The Veteran's nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx is considered to be due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and thus service connection has been granted.

Effective October 13, 2011, the Veteran's disability rating for left wrist arthritis was increased to 20 percent.,Effective September 26, 2017, a separate 20 percent rating was granted for muscle atrophy of the left forearm as a residual of his service-connected left navicular fracture with mild arthritis.

The appellant is seeking accrued benefits for his mother's final expenses and burial costs. The case has been remanded to obtain proof of the expenses incurred.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on whether his service-connected conditions caused or aggravated the immediate causes of death.

Your claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities has been dismissed as the matter was granted in a previous decision.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings greater than 10 percent for right and left lower extremity peripheral nerve disabilities due to incomplete paralysis, as these conditions are rated under DC 8620 (neuritis of the sciatic nerve). The Veteran's symptoms have been characterized as mild, incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's chest pain treatment at RRMC is covered by his third-party insurance, but he remains liable for the remaining costs. The VA decision grants reimbursement or payment of those remaining costs.

The Veteran's right-hand disability, which includes fractures of the fourth and fifth fingers, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of ankylosis or other specific findings that would justify a higher rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by glioblastoma multiforme, a brain tumor. The Board denied service connection for the cause of his death and denied accrued benefits for glioblastoma multiforme due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).

The Veteran's HIV was not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of the disease during his active duty. The Board denied service connection for HIV on a direct basis due to insufficient medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits was denied because the Board found fault on both sides (Veteran and VA), but also noted that there is no undue hardship, the purpose for which the benefits were intended would not be defeated by recovery, and the Veteran did not incur a legal obligation or change her position to her detriment in reliance upon the receipt of VA disability compensation.