Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's chronic respiratory disorder, including as a result of an undiagnosed illness, was incurred during service and is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the appellant's parent-child relationship with the Veteran and her eligibility for dependency benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) was granted in full prior to his death, including the related conditions of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and Chronic Anemia. As a result, the appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for right wrist, left wrist, right fourth finger disabilities and a disability manifested by shortness of breath were denied as they are not shown to be related to service. The nose disability, head injury, and left finger fracture were found to have been incurred in line of duty due to an act of willful misconduct.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing service records and provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital from May 12, 2012, to May 18, 2012 is granted. The treatment was deemed necessary due to a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a neurological disorder manifested by chest pain and tightness is granted as the Board finds that there is an approximate balance of evidence regarding the chronicity of the neurological pathology first diagnosed in service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is the surviving spouse of the Veteran, qualifying her for VA death benefits including DIC and death pension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic monomyelocytic leukemia has been granted with a 100% disability rating and an effective date of March 14, 2017. The appeal is dismissed as moot since the decision was not appealed.

From June 28, 2007 to March 4, 2010, the Veteran's anal fistula was manifested by occasional involuntary bowel movements necessitating wearing of a pad.,From March 5, 2010 to September 27, 2016, the Veteran's anal fistula was manifested by extensive leakage and fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements.,From September 28, 2016 onward, the Veteran's anal fistula was manifested by extensive leakage and fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements.

The Board found that there is no legal theory to grant a one-time payment from the FVEC fund due to lack of qualifying service, and thus denied the appellant's claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for umbilical hernia residuals was denied by the Board. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied an increased monthly apportionment in support of the Veteran's dependents throughout the appeal period, finding that any increase would constitute an undue financial hardship to the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and no evidence linking it to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for liver cancer, finding that it was caused by exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of tenorrhapy and neurorrhapy of the right hand were granted a 10 percent evaluation effective January 5, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication. The Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to address the Veteran's contentions of in-service eye injuries.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper-gastrointestinal (GI) disorder is being remanded due to a lack of compliance with the Board's August 2017 remand. The case must be readjudicated after obtaining a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether the GI disorder was aggravated by medication taken for his service-connected disabilities.