Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran withdrew the issue of whether their discharge was a bar to receiving VA benefits, so the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral toe disability and service. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for inability to urinate (also claimed as urinary retention), finding that there are outstanding records and procedural issues that need to be addressed before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the appellant can be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death pension benefits, given her lawful marriage to the Veteran and lack of fault in their separation.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's hypertension and congestive heart failure to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical services received at the Villages Regional Hospital was denied because the claims were not filed within 90 days after discharge, and he did not exhaust all options with a third party before filing his claims.

The appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for establishing basic eligibility for DIC and death pension benefits due to her divorce from the Veteran, which was finalized before his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic back strain is related to his service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board previously granted a TDIU prior to October 12, 2012. The RO then awarded an effective date of August 1, 2008. As the issue has already been resolved, there is no remaining case or controversy.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse, finding that there was no continuous cohabitation between them until the Veteran's death and that the separation was not due to the misconduct of or procured by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's hallux abductus is related to service, including any aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's spondylolysis resulted in limited thoracolumbar spinal flexion, which was granted a 40% disability rating effective November 14, 2016. The claim for an increased rating prior to this date is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is related to his service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for recurrent left spermatocele prior to June 24, 1996 is denied. A 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, for recurrent post-operative left spermatocele with a residual scar beginning June 24, 1996, but no earlier, is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further adjudication due to their inextricable interconnection and because the appellant's eligibility as a claimant needs to be determined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for an examination by an oncologist.

The Veteran's left scrotum surgeries did not meet the criteria for a temporary total evaluation as they did not require hospitalization or convalescence, and his pain was managed with medication and supportive underwear.

The Veteran's systemic lupus erythematosus began in service and is granted as service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed skin condition, specifically a rash on his legs and thighs. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to address these issues.