Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for recurrent herpes and venereal warts was denied. Recurrent herpes is rated at 60 percent since March 22, 2012, based on constant or near-constant systemic therapy with Acyclovir. Venereal warts are not compensable.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was entitled to a month-of-death benefit, but the appellant is seeking accrued benefits for her mother. The appeal is remanded as it is unclear if the appellant meets the criteria for receiving these benefits.

The Board has not received all relevant information for the claim of medical expense reimbursement. The case is being remanded to obtain a complete copy of the Veteran's VHA medical appeal file and readjudicate the issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for mesothelioma, special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound, and service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to inextricably intertwined issues. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death will be deferred until further development is completed.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for a skin disorder because no VA examiner has assessed the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin condition. The Veteran reports experiencing symptoms in service, but his service treatment records are incomplete.

The Board finds that a remand is necessary to verify the appellant’s income for the period from February 1, 2009 to February 1, 2010 due to information obtained through the IRS's IVM process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for apportionment of his non-service-connected pension benefits, finding that he reasonably discharged his responsibility for supporting his children and that granting a special apportionment would cause undue financial hardship on him.

The Veteran's back strain and left hip arthritis are rated at the maximum available ratings, with no further increase granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in determining eligibility for VA nonservice-connected death pension benefits. The appellant's application was initially denied because her income exceeded the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). Additional information and development are needed to determine if she is eligible for higher rate benefits due to being housebound or needing aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right knee disability was reduced from a 20% to a 10% rating, effective August 2, 2014. The reduction was upheld as the evidence did not show sustained improvement in his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bowel disability, including constipation.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for establishing A.F. as a dependent child for the purposes of dependency allowance, finding that VA did not receive a claim prior to November 23, 2010.

The Veteran's surviving spouse paid $1,868.70 for the last sickness and burial of her mother who was entitled to death pension benefits with aid and attendance allowance at the time of her death. The appellant is granted accrued benefits up to this amount.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of use of both feet, a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected impairment of sphincter control, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, and loss of use of both feet due to incomplete information and evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lung disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking any diagnosed condition to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for digestive disorders including hiatal hernia, diverticulitis, gastroenteritis, appendectomy, gallbladder stones with chronic cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Osgood-Schlatter disease and patellofemoral pain syndrome are service-connected, as they were present during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for neutropenia and MDS were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions required transfusions or resulted in recurring infections during the specified periods.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's discharge was not due to willful and persistent misconduct, thus allowing him to receive VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's financial eligibility for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate. The Veteran needs to provide updated evidence of any exclusion from income, such as unreimbursed medical expenses.