Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's abscess of the right sub-maxillary gland has been rated as noncompensable since 2007. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Veteran's service-connected deviated septum has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal began, which is the maximum rating allowed under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred at Villages Regional Hospital from October 10, 2012 to October 12, 2012 was denied because the claim was not filed within 90 days after the last day of treatment and it was not timely filed.

The Veteran's surviving spouse did not appeal the denial of nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and the Appellant filed her claim for accrued benefits more than one year after the Veteran's death. Therefore, she is denied entitlement to accrued benefits.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of $22,044 was denied as it was not filed within the 180-day period following the March 2005 notification of indebtedness.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective April 9, 2008. The Board found that the evidence showed he had been unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected atypical psychosis and alcohol dependence since one year prior to his informal claim for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected adenocarcinoma of the colon contributed to his death from small cell neuroendocrine cancer.

The Board found that the Veteran's pension payments were improperly terminated in July 2011 because his spouse's income exceeded the maximum allowable pension rates for veterans with dependents.

The Board denied service connection for a right thumb disability as there is no evidence of current disability and the Veteran did not cooperate with VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected as the Board found no evidence linking his death to any condition incurred or aggravated during his military service, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Osceola Regional Medical Center on June 2, 2014 is being remanded due to the need to clarify her insurance coverage and whether she has exhausted all claims against third parties.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for nonservice connected pension, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to chemicals during his service as an Aviation Machinist Mate and whether his chronic lymphocytic leukemia is related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for myelofibrosis, which is now claimed as myelomonocytic leukemia. The evidence shows that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam and his current diagnosis of myelofibrosis is related to this exposure. Service connection is granted on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shin splints is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. However, the disability is denied due to lack of a nexus between current shin splints and in-service injury.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral thumb disability, finding that his current diagnosis of basilar thumb joint arthritis is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 29, 2010, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for initial compensable ratings for left and right foot hammertoes with calcaneal spurs before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's second marriage to C.T.D. is deemed invalid due to his existing marriage to M.F., and thus he is not entitled to benefits for C.T.D.

The Veteran's cause of death, adult respiration distress syndrome, was not determined to be service-connected. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that any service-connected disability contributed substantially or materially to her death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, cholangiocarcinoma, is related to his military service and has granted entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.