Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected back strain, to include osteopenia, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for esophageal cancer due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The cause of death, which was metastatic esophageal cancer, is also considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for fungal infection of the feet and is considering a compensable rating for the left foot scar.,The appellant's claim for increased compensation for his left foot scar was denied, but the case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The appellant wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a left salivary gland removal. The Board has dismissed this claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for dependency benefits for her new spouse, J.L.T., is denied because she did not notify VA of her marriage within one year of the event.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue with metastatic cancer to the neck was not shown to be related to service, including herbicide agent exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for an examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep disorder, specifically hypersomnia, is related to his service-connected PTSD and whether it is caused by or aggravated by PTSD symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for adding his wife as a dependent spouse, citing that the application was not received within one year of VA's 2008 request or rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the claims file since the last supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's representative raised the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), but this issue is still before the AOJ.

The case is being remanded due to the need for further investigation into the appellant's communications with VA in 2007, which may affect the effective date of death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of the cause of the Veteran's death should be October 27, 2005, based on the appellant's application for a lump sum death payment (LSDP) with Social Security Administration (SSA). This decision is in favor of granting an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's spondylolysis, L5-S1 was granted a 40 percent disability rating as of June 2015. No earlier effective date is assigned.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the payment of agent fees, and as a result, the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's skin condition is not related to his military service and was incurred during civilian employment as a U.S. Merchant Marine, which does not qualify for VA purposes.

The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's osteopenia is remanded for further development and an examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for varicose veins of the right lower extremity is remanded due to potential worsening symptoms since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right hip disorders have been remanded due to the lack of new and material evidence.,Special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate has also been remanded.

The appeal regarding eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance and necessary adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only is dismissed as the claim does not qualify as a periodic monetary benefit.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of spousal dependency allowance was validly created, but needs to be recalculated due to discrepancies. The Veteran's request for waiver of the debt is also remanded.