Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left lung spontaneous pneumothorax, claimed as collapsed lung. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer, presumed due to herbicide exposure in service, was not shown during or after service and the weight of evidence does not support a nexus to service. The claims for pulmonary/respiratory disorder and colon polyps are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychological disorders and whether HIV was caused or aggravated by such disabilities.

The Veteran's intermittent palpitations with dyspnea and sinus bradycardia of unknown etiology do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating since active service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of insomnia and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of shrapnel wounds are directly related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claim for a stomach disability, to include diarrhea and rectal bleeding. The evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during service or is related to service in any other way.

The Board determined that the appellant is not entitled to death pension benefits due to his income exceeding the statutory limits for entitlement.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left leg numbness. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's son was improperly removed as a dependent upon his eighteenth birthday and awarded additional compensation for him.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits due to his mother, finding that he did not have standing to file the claim and did not provide evidence of having paid last sickness or burial expenses.

The Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of funds for Department of Veterans Affairs benefit purposes due to a history of substance abuse, legal problems, and non-compliance with psychiatric medication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the claimed cold injury residuals.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of records submitted by the Appellant, who is claiming as the Veteran's surviving spouse. The Appellant was asked to submit any evidence she might have that she applied for benefits prior to 2012.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits and special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his estate exceeding $109,065, which is considered sufficient to last past his life expectancy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of eye surgery and residuals of a left flank contusion have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus has been manifested by pain during the appeal period, and a 10 percent evaluation is granted for each foot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cause of death due to a lack of evidence linking his esophageal cancer to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Board also found that accrued benefits were not warranted as there was no pending claim at the time of the Veteran's death or unpaid benefits.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's cardiovascular disorders, including congestive heart failure, were not present in service or until many years thereafter and are not related to service or to an incident of service origin.