Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board is unable to determine which specific claim is currently before it due to missing documents. The case will be remanded for further development of the claims file.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to esophageal cancer, finding that there was no evidence of radiation exposure during his military service and insufficient medical nexus linking asbestos or solvent/heavy metal exposure to his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of both hips due to additional development being required.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as her income exceeded the maximum annual limit for receipt of pension benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatic steatosis, finding that it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not related to service. The VA examiner opined that the current diagnosis was less likely caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's left inguinal hernia has not been evaluated since his last VA examination in 2012. The Board finds a new examination is necessary to determine the current severity of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bibasilar dependent atelectases with pleural effusions was submitted after his death, and thus no accrued benefits can be awarded.

The Veteran's spouse, V.H., died in January 2012 and was awarded death pension benefits. The appellant and her husband contend that payment of the accrued benefits is warranted because they bore the expense of last sickness. They submitted Care Expense Statements but additional expenses were found to be unpaid. The Board has decided to remand the case for the appellant to submit any evidence showing she paid for additional expenses.

The Board has remanded this case due to a failure to locate the Veteran's missing service treatment records from October 1974 to October 1976. The San Juan RO is instructed to conduct a thorough search for these records and provide them to VA.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder with depressive features is being remanded for further evaluation due to a lack of recent VA examination and missing private counseling records.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for essential tremor was denied, and the Board also remanded her case to determine if she had a left hand disorder. The decision summary indicates that further examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for tingling in hands and feet, bladder condition, and prostate condition were denied as they are not related to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was not granted because the evidence did not link the Veteran’s conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to proceed with the merits of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left foot metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, and heel spur was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's colon perforation and subsequent ventral hernia are not service-connected as they resulted from a routine colonoscopy performed at the Huntington VA Medical Center, where proper informed consent was provided. The Board finds that the perforation of the colon and formation of incisional hernia were not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of the VA facility.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for osteoporosis, Barrett's esophagus, and colon cancer, all of which are alleged to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were otherwise related to in-service exposures.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the AOJ properly withheld his VA compensation benefits for 93 days of fiscal year 2011 due to military drill pay, and there was no evidence supporting the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claims for right great toenail loss and diverticulitis have been granted. The claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including diverticulitis, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed because he withdrew his claim prior to the hearing.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not provide evidence of a pending claim for compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. The appeal is denied as there are no legal grounds to grant burial benefits.