Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability and to consider his claim for TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for alcohol dependency as a direct result of voluntary and willful drinking in excess during service. However, service connection is not allowed because it would be precluded by law due to the Veteran's own abuse of alcohol.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for VA home loan guaranty benefits due to a discharge from service under conditions other than honorable, specifically willful and persistent misconduct. The appeal is not about service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for endometriosis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosis of endometriosis began during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and his service in Korea. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of death, which may be related to herbicide exposure or a direct service-connected condition.

The Board cannot make a fully informed decision on the issue of entitlement to TDIU because no VA examiner has addressed the impact of the medications prescribed for his service-connected disorders. The Veteran's medications are making him too drowsy to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on August 22, 2013 is remanded due to the lack of VA treatment notes prior to October 2013 and any communications between VA and the Veteran regarding her flood-related injuries.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board denied a request to assign an earlier effective date for the payment of DIC benefits, finding that the appellant's claim was received within one year of her husband's death and thus the earliest possible effective date is July 18, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear information about the Veteran's health insurance coverage at the time of her emergency visit. The VA will need to clarify this information before making a decision.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for the residuals of stress fractures of both feet, finding that they are manifested by pain on motion.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymia, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to his combat service in the Gulf War.

The Board denied a compensable rating for Hodgkin's disease as the Veteran was in remission and no active disease or treatment phase existed during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure and potential service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The Veteran's son, J.C.O., is being recognized as the helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching 18 years of age. Further development is needed to obtain SSA records related to J.C.O.'s disability income.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital for gallbladder disease are now covered by VA.

The Veteran's claim for a separate left leg disability is denied as it would constitute prohibited pyramiding of compensation. The claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine are also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve, Chapter 1606, Title 10, United States Code due to incomplete development. The claims file needs to be updated with a copy of the September 2003 denial letter and all documents associated with the file prior to January 2017 Board remand. Additionally, the Veteran's correct address must be determined and any undeliverable letters resent. A hearing before RO personnel is also required.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for private treatment records, military personnel records, and VA examinations regarding the Veteran's lumber spine disorder. The case is being remanded to address direct service connection as well as any potential secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lymphoma, previously claimed as cancer of the lymph nodes, is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran contends his colon cancer may be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.