Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left and right pneumothorax, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of right pneumothorax was also denied due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination and a need for additional inpatient records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a new medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a mood disorder effective May 31, 2012, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation beginning that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an upper respiratory disability, finding no evidence of a current chronic condition and concluding that his symptoms were subjective.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right eye hemifacial spasm is related to his service-connected PTSD or any other condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for high cholesterol and a compensable rating for mitral valve prolapse is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current disability, and also found no basis for a higher rating based on the medical records.

The Appellant withdrew her request to appeal the decision regarding whether VA was correct to terminate death pension benefits effective June 1, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an umbilical hernia, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition and no in-service injury or disease related to the current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals, status post-fractures, of the long and ring fingers of the left hand and residuals, status post-fractures, of the ring and little fingers of the right hand due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board is remanding the case to determine where in Vietnam the Veteran served, as this information is necessary to assess his exposure to water parasites and whether it caused his metastatic cholangiocarcinoma.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of VA educational benefits in the amount of $6,860 was timely filed due to circumstances beyond his control. The claim is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left leg stress fractures and right leg shin splints with hair line fracture due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined issue of entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU. The effective date for TDIU is currently under review.

The Veteran's cause of death was respiratory failure contributed to by pneumonia and lung cancer. The Board found no evidence of service connection or exposure to Agent Orange, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum to a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is due to fault by VA or an event not reasonably foreseeable, following his knee surgery in October 2004.

The Board denied service connection for microcytic anemia and granted a 10 percent rating for onychomycosis. The Veteran's microcytic anemia was not shown to be incurred in or caused by service, while his onychomycosis met the criteria for a 10 percent rating based on intermittent systemic therapy.

The Veteran's surviving spouse applied for aid and attendance benefits, which were granted effective April 30, 2010. The appellant returned the payment after his mother's death and filed a claim for accrued benefits in June 2011. The Board is instructed to further develop the issue of funeral expenses and medical costs.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's claim is related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to contaminated soil, dust, bird and bat droppings.

The Veteran's appeal for a pension was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to proceed with the case.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson’s disease is found to cause functional impairment of his speech abilities, including dysarthria, dysphasia, and speech changes. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for a speech condition.