Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his neurological disorders, including vascular dementia and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident with encephalomalacia. The claim will be reconsidered after all outstanding treatment records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding the severity of his hernia prior to April 21, 2015 and for extraschedular consideration. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with this claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left hip arthrosis on an extraschedular basis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether his seizures are caused or aggravated by medications used to manage his pain from his service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits, including service connection.

The Veteran's right hip labral tear was rated at 10 percent prior to October 9, 2013 and increased to 20 percent from October 9, 2013 to July 30, 2015. The rating remained at 20 percent from September 1, 2015 to December 6, 2016, and was increased to 20 percent again starting February 1, 2017.

The Veteran's death was caused by a cerebrovascular accident, due to or as a consequence of dysphagia and atrial fibrillation. The service-connected malaria did not cause his death.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The Veteran's skin disorder is being evaluated in relation to his active service and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's diagnosed costochondritis is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is not entitled to additional educational assistance benefits under VRAP for the period from May 27, 2013, to June 21, 2013 due to exceeding his maximum 12 months of benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for dental trauma in tooth number 24 is dismissed as the issue has been fully granted and there are no allegations of errors of fact or law to review.

The Veteran's application for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment was denied because it was not filed within the 180-day period following notification of the overpayment.

The Veteran does not have a current dental disability due to the loss of substance of body of maxilla or mandible due to trauma or disease such as osteomyelitis, and therefore is denied service connection for compensation purposes.

The Veteran's death was caused by a stabbing incident during active duty, and the appellant pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The VA ruled that since the intent to cause harm is not proven, her spouse's death does not bar her from receiving VA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for trigeminal nerve disability, facial nerve disability, and dental disability. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected stab wounds for further development. The appeals are currently on hold until the Veteran is properly notified and scheduled for VA examinations.

The Board affirms that the claim for payment of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on October 4, 2007 was not abandoned. The case is remanded to obtain additional records and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a dental problem was denied because the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's larynx cancer and residuals are presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand, which is granted as a result of the presumption.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current bilateral hip disability and his service, as well as whether it is related to or aggravated by his service-connected knee and back disabilities.