Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not provide evidence of a pending claim for compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. The burial expenses were covered by private funds, and there is no indication that the Veteran died while in VA care. Therefore, the claim for burial benefits is denied.

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer as the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's exposure to jet fuel and his diagnosis of colon cancer, which is not associated with herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's supraventricular tachycardia was not manifested by more than four episodes per year documented by ECG or Holter monitor, and therefore the initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's supraventricular tachycardia was not manifested by more than four episodes per year documented by ECG or Holter monitor, and thus the initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's disability has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected left index finger fracture.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for residuals of a broken nose, deviated septum, and sinus condition due to insufficient medical evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of pneumonia and a respiratory disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The claim for service connection for herpes zoster is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding whether the diagnosis occurred during active duty training.

The appellant's claim for accrued benefits was denied because it was not filed within one year of her mother's death, and she does not meet the eligibility criteria for an accrued benefits claimant.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for postoperative residuals of laminectomy with arthritis has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's eye disability and TDIU claim are being remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for an updated VA examination, and his application for increased compensation based on unemployability should also be completed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her pelvic stress fractures residuals are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA is instructed to schedule a new examination and ensure the findings comply with Correia v. McDonald.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TMJ disorder is at least as likely as not caused by his in-service motor vehicle accident, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's tonsillitis has not been productive of hoarseness, submucous infiltration, or pre-malignancy changes on biopsy. Therefore, he is not entitled to a compensable rating for his tonsillitis.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present dental disabilities, including bone loss to the maxilla.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral vision loss, which may be related to service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and service connection for the cause of death. The appellant must provide additional records from Fort Gordon Military Base.

The Board has expanded the scope of the Veteran's service connection claim to include any right knee diagnosis raised by the record. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a new opinion from an examiner regarding whether current diagnoses are related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital for her herpes zoster condition were denied as VA facilities were feasibly available and an attempt to use them beforehand would have been reasonable.