Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected deep vein thrombosis of the left leg is granted a 60% rating, effective from the date of this decision. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains denied.

The appeal was denied due to the invalidity of a regulation that prevented VA reimbursement for ambulance service and medical expenses. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for gastrointestinal disorders, including diverticulosis and diverticulitis, was denied. The issue of secondary service connection for a heart disorder due to the gastrointestinal disorders is remanded.

The Board denied a claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC fund due to lack of recognized active military service, as determined by the NPRC.

The Board denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, finding no causal link to active duty service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right thumb disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current arthritis to service or any incident therein.

The VA Form 9 appeal was not received in time, so the February 2015 rating decision remains final.

The Veteran's service-connected shin splints of the right and left lower extremities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of marked knee or ankle disabilities.

The Board granted recognition of L.M.J. as the Veteran's current spouse for VA purposes based on his service-connected disabilities and valid marriages.

The appellant is seeking an annual clothing allowance due to the use of a left knee brace for his service-connected residuals of a left medial meniscectomy. The VA Chief Medical Director will need to determine if the left knee brace meets the criteria for a clothing allowance based on its medical necessity and potential damage to clothing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The gap of 42 years between separation from service and diagnosis made it unlikely that the cancer is related to any in-service event.

The Board has granted service connection for right quad atrophy, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and a service-connected right knee disability. The case of an increased rating for the right knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral testicular condition, diagnosed as atrophy and chronic epididymitis/hydrocele, is rated at 20 percent since December 9, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of Guillain-Barre syndrome, claiming it as a muscle/nerve disability, due to lack of evidence linking his condition to his military service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the Veteran's contention that his condition was caused by herbicide agent exposure during active service.

The Veteran's claim for payment of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on October 1, 2012 was denied because the claim was not filed within 90 days after his discharge from the hospital.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeals of his claims for effective dates prior to July 15, 2010 for service connection for panic disorder and dyspepsia.

The Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on October 24, 2014, and November 17, 2014, are denied because his symptoms did not warrant emergency care.

The Board denied service connection for hypoglycemia as there is no evidence that the condition began during or was caused by military service.

The Board denied the claim for DIC benefits as the appellant was not a qualified beneficiary due to her divorce from the Veteran prior to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right thumb condition has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal through his representative.