Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's spouse was denied an extension of the delimiting date for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because she did not provide medical evidence showing a physical or mental disability preventing her from initiating education.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertensive retinopathy has not resulted in any visual acuity, field of vision, or muscle function issues that would warrant a compensable evaluation. The Board denied the claim for an increased initial evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's postoperative left inguinal hernia disability.

The Board denied recognition as the surviving spouse due to a separation that was not continuous and did not meet VA criteria for a surviving spouse.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right leg non-traumatic exertional compartment syndrome due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's ischemic cardiomyopathy status post myocardial infarction is presumed service connected due to herbicide agent exposure (Agent Orange). However, the claim must be remanded as there are concerns about the Veteran's claimed service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for proximal atrial fibrillation is remanded due to the lack of an examination during the appeal period. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence showing the Veteran is not paying child support and a recent increase in his disability rating. The matter must be reconsidered based on this information.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and there is no evidence linking his esophageal cancer to in-service herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disorder, left knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The initial rating for residuals of a 5th metatarsal right foot fracture remains denied.

The Veteran's child, B.S., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to reaching the age of 18 due to physical and mental defects. As a result, VA benefits are granted on this basis.

The Board found that the Veteran failed to maintain satisfactory conduct and cooperation, leading to the discontinuance of his vocational rehabilitation benefits. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected impairment of sphincter control is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent, but no higher, based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Crohn's disease began during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip strain and residuals of heat injuries due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right hip strain is related to her rheumatologic condition, but its direct relation to active duty service remains unclear. For the heat injury claim, a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has a heat injury and whether any disabilities are causally related to the Veteran’s heat injury during service.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is presumed to be related to his service at Camp Lejeune due to exposure to contaminated water, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right eye disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for a pancreatitis condition, finding no evidence of such condition during service and noting the lack of recent complaints. The claim was dismissed as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadjudication of a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left eye disability, and the need to adjudicate both service connection and compensation claims separately.