Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for post-operative residuals of a right ring finger/hand injury, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition did not increase in severity during or as a result of active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he did not make an irrevocable election for education benefits under the Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill program.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability, including range of motion findings and any additional functional impairment caused by pain.

The Veteran's left and right foot hallux valgus disabilities are rated at the maximum allowed by law, with no further increase in rating possible.

The Veteran's chronic lymphocytic leukemia is granted as service connected due to exposure to carcinogenic chemicals during his military service.

Your appeal to increase your disability rating for your mood disorder has been dismissed because your representative withdrew the appeal in a written statement.

Your appeal for service connection of bladder impairment as secondary to diabetes mellitus has been dismissed because you withdrew your appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) of both legs is granted a 30% disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye trauma is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the April 2012 VA examination and September 2012 DBQ are inadequate for assessing whether a current disability exists due to bilateral hip pain. The Veteran's claim is therefore remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, recognition as a prisoner of war, and death pension due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion from a hematologist to determine if the Veteran suffers from neutropenia or leukopenia, and whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma due to benzene exposure in service. The appeal regarding the rating for traumatic aphakia of the right eye, including a traumatic paracentral corneal laceration, was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the termination of VA Improved Death Pension benefits, finding that it was proper due to the Appellant's acknowledged receipt of earned income in excess of the pension rate.

The Board has found that the appellant's claim seeking an effective date prior to October 9, 2015, for basic eligibility to educational benefits under Chapter 35 is inextricably intertwined with the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU. As such, the matter of the effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance must be deferred until the TDIU claim is resolved.

The Veteran's stomach condition is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a chronic GI disorder during service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is not service-connected as the separation examination did not indicate any foot problems, and post-service records do not show complaints or treatment for such issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Service connection is being sought for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left hand condition, thoracolumbar or cervical spine disorder, left ankle condition, left earache, and right earache.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and to determine whether the Appellant qualifies as a 'child' of the Veteran's spouse or for substitution on the basis of reimbursement of expenses for her mother’s last sickness and burial.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his left total hip arthroplasty is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized out-of-pocket massage therapy treatments from September 13, 2013 through December 11, 2013 were denied reimbursement because the services were not covered under VA's basic medical benefits package and there was no prior authorization for the treatment. The Board also found that the treatments did not meet the criteria of a 'medical emergency' as defined by VA regulations.