Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right ankle, shoulder, migraines, and knee conditions. The Veteran's epididymo-orchitis condition is not rated higher than noncompensable.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left hip disability, which was last evaluated over five years ago.

The Veteran's non-VA medical expenses incurred at Ocala Regional Medical Center on March 27, 2011 and May 2, 2011 are granted as the evidence is in equipoise that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to his health. The nearest VA facility was not feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's exposure to petroleum products during service is credible and has established a link between his rectal cancer and this exposure, granting service connection for rectal cancer with current residuals.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of expenses from July 4, 2014 is being remanded. The Board also notes that the Veteran may have a substance abuse disorder and requests additional VA treatment records to better understand his disability picture.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore the appellant is denied burial benefits.

The Veteran's myositis is remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient reasoning in the April 2017 VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to unclear functional impairment caused by service-connected bilateral hallux valgus.

The Board has remanded the case for a financial audit of the Veteran's account and readjudication of the validity of the debt. The Veteran also requested a waiver of indebtedness, which will be referred to the Committee on Waivers and Compromises.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his skin conditions and psychiatric disorders. The VA is instructed to obtain verification of in-service stressors, develop Social Security Administration records, and schedule examinations by a dermatologist and psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic urticaria is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's 100% rating for idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura was restored to effective May 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's private dermatologist opined that his current skin conditions are related to sun exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's narcolepsy is service-connected, as there is no pre-existing condition and the symptoms during service are considered to be a contributing factor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for damage to the right lower lobe of the lung due to radiation treatment are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and opinions.

The claim for service connection of left leg varicose veins is reopened, but the appeal is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology and aggravation of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess her current level of severity and whether her remaining ovary has completely atrophied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because the evidence showed he maintained substantially gainful employment until December 29, 2012. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement to TDIU is December 30, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because there is insufficient medical evidence in the record and additional VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete documentation of the February 2003 surgery and infection. The VA will need to obtain a complete informed consent form for the surgery, including any quality assurance records related to the procedure.