Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of multiple concussions is granted. The claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded.

The Veteran is eligible for post-9/11 GI Bill monthly housing allowance benefits during his appellate leave period from February 17, 2015, to August 31, 2015.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence linking rectal cancer to military service. The Appellant did not submit new and material evidence within one year, resulting in a final denial.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and her claim does not survive her death.

The Veteran's gynecomastia, prior to June 8, 2015, is granted a 10 percent rating due to pain and discomfort resulting in minor functional impairment. From August 1, 2015, the Veteran's bilateral gynecomastia (post-surgical reduction) is granted a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal was denied due to the invalidity of a regulation that prevented VA reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses. The case is being remanded to reassess the claim based on the revised regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the pre-service condition and its progression during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the likely cause of the Veteran's diagnosed eye disabilities and whether any are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to esophageal cancer, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mitral valve condition and its relationship to military service or ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right radius fracture residuals is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's skin creams and ointments are not prescribed for a service-connected disability, so he is denied clothing allowances.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right elbow arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple myeloma, linked to in-service asbestos exposure, is denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's sinus condition is denied as it pre-existed service and was not aggravated by active duty. The Veteran's sleep disorder, diagnosed as persistent insomnia, had its onset during active service.,The Veteran's right knee condition is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied due to the invalidity of a regulation that prevented VA reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses. The claim is being remanded for further development and consideration under the revised regulations.

The Board has decided that there may be outstanding VA treatment records relevant to the SMC claim and a new examination is needed. The issues of whether the effective dates for removing and adding dependents are proper have been referred to another decision.

The Board has granted service connection for ocular histoplasmosis, disseminated histoplosis, and histoplosis of the lungs as these conditions are linked to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 16, 2006 for adding his children as dependents to his VA disability compensation award. The earliest communication by the Veteran regarding his dependent children was on February 16, 2006.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the failure of the VA examiner's opinion to address whether the Veteran’s sunlight exposure during service is related to his bilateral eye diagnoses.