Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's squamous cell cancer of the left base of the tongue is being remanded for further evaluation, including a determination on its relationship to service and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability (including milia of the right eyelid and inclusion cyst of the right eye) and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left elbow are pending.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits to pursue courses outside the United States was denied due to lack of a legal basis for his residence in Japan and inconsistencies with previous statements regarding his marital status.

The December 7, 1982 decision that discontinued the appellant's DIC benefits was not a product of clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The evidence at that time showed that the prior decision to provide DIC benefits to the appellant was clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the current severity assessment of the Veteran's service-connected right inguinal hernia repair disability. Additional development is needed, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's spouse died due to a drug overdose, but there was no service-connected disability at the time of death. The claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for medical expenses incurred at LCRH on October 8, 2013 because the treatment was not authorized in advance and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable due to a fire-related loss. The Board is remanding the case for further development, including searching for missing military records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right ring or little finger limitation of motion is denied as there is no ankylosis and the disability does not meet any other criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his additional respiratory disability was caused by VA treatment and surgery in July 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability is denied because the condition does not meet the criteria for compensation purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting information regarding the amount of VA Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits used by the appellant for his flight training in 2012. The AOJ needs to provide a detailed accounting and allow the appellant an opportunity to respond.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse, finding that there was no continuous cohabitation from the date of marriage to the date of death and the separation was by mutual consent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a dental disability and a bilateral hand disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed further.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a stomach condition (gastritis and gastroenteritis) has been granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for a sleep disorder and a skin condition, both claimed as related to Gulf War exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a loss of left eye vision as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for residuals of hysterectomy.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, but he was insane at the time of his misconduct. Therefore, the character of his discharge does not constitute a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives and for obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for the cause of death is denied.