Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's mood disorder is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on his service-connected mood disorder. He also receives special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses is denied because he did not receive VA health care within the 24 months prior to his treatment at NNRH.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and a meniscus tear, is rated at 20% since October 31, 2014. The rating remains denied as the criteria for higher ratings are not met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for deep venous thrombosis, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or his service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of $834.12 in medical expenses from LECMC is granted as all conditions for reimbursement under VA regulations are met, including the condition that no part of the amount was a copayment or similar payment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a waiver of overpayment due to his primary fault in creating the overpayment and because recovery would defeat the purpose of the benefit.

The Veteran's overpayment of Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits is not valid due to an administrative error by VA, and the claim is granted.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses because the Veteran did not reasonably expect that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health, and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Salem Hospital due to a heart attack. The AOJ has denied the claim based on the Veteran having private insurance coverage. The case is remanded because it is unclear whether the amount covered by the health-plan contract fully extinguished the Veteran's financial liability.

The Veteran's cause of death, esophageal cancer with metastasis to bones and lungs, is related to his military service due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for cause of death has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Appellant's service as a guerrilla, recognized or unrecognized. The RO must request further verification from the NPRC and other organizations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable disability rating for left great toe gout is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination and VA medical records.

The Veteran's service connection for a status post nasal trauma, manifested by recurrent functional impairment of the sinus is granted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal, and the Board has dismissed it as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and Project SHAD agents, which are necessary for service connection. The Veteran's hairy cell leukemia claim will be reconsidered with this additional information.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertensive cardiovascular disease disability is being remanded for a more contemporaneous examination to assess its current severity and for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support an increased rating at any stage of the appeal. For TDIU, the Veteran is granted as his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board is remanding the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and will need to provide notification of new requirements for reopening a final decision, including submission of new and material evidence.