Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pancreatic cancer is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA will obtain any outstanding private treatment records and provide a medical opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's death was caused by pancreatic cancer, which is not related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service is minimal and remands for further development, including verifying his claims of in-service asbestos exposure and providing a medical opinion on the etiology of mesothelioma.

The Veteran's paralysis of the bilateral lower extremities was caused by a December 2013 VA surgery, which was not reasonably foreseeable. The Board found that this event did not result from any fault on the part of VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital due to his nonservice-connected substance abuse and alcohol withdrawal condition. The Board found that the treatment was not in response to an emergency, and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for torn ligaments in the left middle finger has been granted, but his disability is now believed to be worsening. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the condition and its impact on other digits.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a fractured spine at T-12, finding that these residuals are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran died in 1976 and is buried in a private cemetery. The claim for a government-furnished headstone or marker was denied because the Veteran did not meet the eligibility criteria set by law.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period prior to November 16, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizoaffective disorder is denied as there was no pending claim at the time of the July 2013 statement.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left arm numbness and right arm numbness, both claimed as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.,The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's numbness of the arms was related to her service or due to her service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's Tietze's Syndrome (costochondritis) is rated at 10 percent and the Board denied a higher rating on an extraschedular basis, as his symptoms are adequately described by the current rating criteria.

The Veteran's spondylosis is rated at 40 percent throughout the appeal period, with no higher rating possible due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to incomplete documentation and insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of heatstroke, including symptoms such as memory loss, concentration problems, comprehension problems, forgetfulness, and lost sense of direction. The evidence did not support a finding that these symptoms were related to the in-service heatstroke.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for herpes simplex, a skin disorder of the hands, and insomnia due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's spondylosis of the lumbar spine disability is also being remanded as there may have been a worsening since the last examination in August 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities have been granted initial 10 percent ratings, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's death was due to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is service-connected. The Board granted service connection for the condition on a presumptive basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the left big toe is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.