Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits as his estate funds were insufficient to cover expenses. The appeal is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the waiver of overpayment in full by the Committee on Waivers and Compromises rendered moot any argument regarding the creation of the overpayment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability manifested by sore throat, chest pain, and cough was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot status post hallux valgus repair, so the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board denied service connection for MGUS (claimed as multiple myeloma) because the Veteran's current diagnosis of MGUS is not related to his military service, and there was no evidence linking it to any specific in-service event or injury.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, claimed as dry eye, due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The Veteran's current eye disorder is not related to his service and the evidence does not support a causal link between his exposure to contaminants in the water supply and his condition.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for neurological conditions of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to his active duty service, including exposure to jet fuel during a plane crash.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow disability, which includes pain, limited motion, and instability, is rated at a minimum of 10 percent since June 22, 1955. The Board found that the evidence demonstrated these symptoms prior to March 15, 1984.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran, finding that she did not continuously cohabit with him from their marriage until his death in June 1992.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ due to possible worsening of his service-connected right eye injury, necessitating a new VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and she did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits as her body was not admitted to a VA facility or transported under VA expense for examination, treatment, or care.

The Board finds the debt was validly created due to the Veteran's failure to complete his obligated service, but further development is required regarding the issue of waiver of overpayment.

The Veteran died without any service-connected disabilities and did not have pending claims for compensation or pension at the time of his death. Therefore, he is not eligible for VA burial benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the expenses incurred for the Veteran's last sickness and burial. The appellant is asked to provide receipts or other documentation of these expenses.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a new theory of recovery regarding service connection for the cause of death, specifically whether the Veteran's smoking developed secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The VA will request a supplemental opinion from the examiner who provided the May 2016 medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection claim is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information.

The Veteran's IVDS of the cervical spine is being remanded due to its inextricability with his pending bilateral knee disorder claim. The Board will need to adjudicate both claims together.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is dismissed due to his death.