Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure at Lackland Air Force Base (Kelly Air Force Base). The Veteran's claim for service connection for CLL, including as due to exposure to herbicides and asbestos, is now pending again.

The Veteran's appeals for unauthorized medical expenses reimbursement claims have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on April 4, 2015 because VA facilities were feasibly available to the Veteran and he did not meet all criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Board found that the appellant was insane during their period of AWOL, which excused the violation and allowed them to receive VA benefits despite their other misconduct.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of an extraschedular rating due to marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's herpes simplex infection has required constant or near-constant systemic therapy over the past year, warranting a 60% rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, is granted. The issue of left knee total replacement secondary to service-connected post-operative residuals is remanded.

The Veteran's facial fibromyositis, claimed as TMJ syndrome, is rated at 10 percent since February 14, 2018. The condition has improved but still causes pain and limited motion of the temporomandibular joint.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back strain, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury and concluding that his current back strain is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran had any periodic monetary benefits at the time of his death. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment in education benefits was denied because the request was untimely filed.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide notice of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) to the Appellant, who did not receive it. The SSOC was sent with her last known address and apartment number.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's keratoconus began during service and granted service connection for this condition. The congenital refractive errors (hyperopia, anisometropia, amblyopia) are not considered diseases or injuries for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's former attorney waived his right to attorney fees of $7,408.02 based on a May 2015 rating decision, and the claim is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vitiligo, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his in-service exposure or any other service-connected condition. The medical opinions provided did not support a link between the Veteran's current vitiligo and his military service.

The appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of establishing eligibility for DIC benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is a soft-tissue sarcoma, which would allow for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran needs an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding this issue.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is no longer valid as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right eye disability, including central retinal vein occlusion and macular hole, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right fifth finger fracture disability is remanded due to inadequate prior examinations and the need for updated medical records.