Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for CVID, also claimed as Specific Antibody Deficiency, Selective IgM Deficiency, and Mannose Binding Lectin Deficiency. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of secondary service connection claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for hiatal hernia, chronic esophagitis, and gastritis (claimed as mouth ulcerations and esophagus ulcerations) because no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Francis Medical Center from October 24, 2016 to October 31, 2016 are being remanded for a VA physician to determine if the Veteran could have been safely transferred to a VA facility and whether he refused transfer.

The Veteran died from ALS, which was not considered a service-connected condition at the time of his death. The appellant did not file an accrued benefits claim within one year of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's liver cancer, presumed to be caused by exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune during service, is considered service-connected and the cause of death is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, as claimed secondary to in-service asbestos exposure, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not have an original or reopened claim for VA compensation at the time of his death. The Veteran had no next of kin and his estate funds were insufficient to cover expenses.

The Board denied service connection for elevated B cells, polycythemia, a respiratory disability claimed as loss of breath, and a fatigue disorder claimed as reduced energy. The Veteran's conditions are not considered disabilities eligible for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hairy cell leukemia with ganglioneuritis and remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for left and right thumb disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bilateral hand pain was reopened and granted. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the left clavicle is remanded.

The Veteran's brachial plexus disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his symptoms and differentiate them from any other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has denied service connection for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and gastrointestinal disorders due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's current conditions.

The Veteran's overpayment of spousal dependency benefits following his divorce is waived due to the VA's inaction and the Veteran's good faith attempts to notify them.

The Appellant has withdrawn her appeal regarding the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance. As a result, the Board dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's death pension benefits were granted from January 1, 2015. Accrued benefits were denied prior to January 1, 2015 due to the appellant's income exceeding maximum annual pension rates.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for atrial fibrillation is denied because the evidence does not show more than four episodes per year of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia documented by ECG or Holter monitor.

The Veteran's complaints of shortness of breath/dyspnea and chest pain are part of a diagnosed heart disorder for which service connection is already in effect. A separately diagnosed disorder associated with breathing problems and chest pains has not been demonstrated by the evidence.

The Veteran's emergency medical treatment at a private hospital on March 9, 2015 was deemed necessary due to the nature of his symptoms and the distance from VA facilities. The Board found that delay in seeking care would have been hazardous, thus granting reimbursement.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for a left inguinal hernia were denied because the emergency treatment was not rendered in an urgent situation and VA facilities were feasibly available.