Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's husband was added as a dependent effective September 1, 2010. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for alcohol abuse and mood disorder due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of cold injury residuals and evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and need for aid and attendance are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected epigastric abdominal hernia has not resulted in any symptoms or residual disability, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected pleural plaques disability was found to be of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 10, 2015. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for this period.

The Board denied service connection for meningioma and residuals of a craniotomy, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active service, including exposure to depleted uranium. The preponderance of evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of a head injury is denied as his entitlement arose on March 31, 2008, when he was granted secondary service connection based on his pre-existing left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that neither esophageal nor liver cancer were related to his military service or exposure to toxic herbicides. The respiratory cancer listed on the amended certificate of death is not supported by clinical evidence and was not diagnosed during the Veteran's lifetime.

The Board denied the Veteran's waiver of recovery for an overpayment of VA improved pension benefits due to his incarceration, finding that he was solely at fault in creating the debt and that recovery would not result in financial hardship.

The Veteran's right-hand fracture was not caused by VA medical care, and she does not have an additional disability that is the result of such care. The Board finds no fault on the part of VA in causing her injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left mid-carpal instability due to more than five years since the last VA examination, requiring further evaluation.

The Veteran did not serve during the Vietnam era, and therefore does not meet the criteria for Death Pension Benefits.

The Veteran's oral neoplasm, base of tongue, is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for Buerger's disease was granted. However, his claims for service connection for Acute Ischemic Stroke were denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for mitral valve regurgitation (heart murmur) is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports, and a new examination is required.

The appeal is dismissed because the Veteran's spouse was already added as a dependent effective May 1, 2005, which resolved his claim for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's left leg amputation is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding negligence.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition and stomach problems (hiatal hernia) have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected uterine fibroids and whether her uterine prolapse was caused or aggravated by these conditions.