Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for cardiac and prostate disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. As a result, no further action can be taken on these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypospadias due to new and material evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for chronic bladder infections as secondary to hypospadias, and infertility as secondary to hypospadias are remanded.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant passed away during the pendency of the appeal, and appellants' claims do not survive their deaths.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including an adjustment disorder and neurocognitive disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected seizure disorder. The case of PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of an injury to the right eye, finding that there is no evidence linking current vision problems to a 1965 in-service injury. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to age-related changes and refractive errors.

The claim for a government-furnished headstone or grave marker was denied because the decedent was cremated and not buried in a private cemetery, making him ineligible under VA regulations.

The appeal has been dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board previously denied the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, but a new addendum opinion is required due to an inadequate January 2016 medical opinion. The examiner must address whether the Veteran's death was due to carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on VA’s part.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a pes cavus deformity was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board dismissed the claim as the RO's September 2017 decision, which found that the Veteran’s service was honorable for VA purposes, already granted the benefits sought.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted recognition of the Appellant as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of entitlement to VA death benefits, based on evidence indicating that they lived together and held themselves out as married.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at CRMC on May 1, 2016 is denied because he did not file the claim within 90 days after the treatment date and there was no attempt to obtain payment from a third party.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of the removal of the stomach and gallbladder due to a gastrointestinal ulcer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed left foot condition, right foot condition, headaches, lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with disturbance of emotions is manifested by depression, anxiety, sleep problems, diminished interest in activities, irritability, isolative/avoidance behaviors, and withdrawal. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right ear was denied as there is no evidence that he sustained such an injury during service.,Service connection for a skin disability of the arms and legs was also denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and because none of his current skin disabilities are presumed based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for automobile adaptive equipment is granted because he has a service-connected disability of anatomical loss of both feet, and he is found eligible due to his existing compensation for the loss of both feet.

The Board denied DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking his pancreatic cancer and hyperlipidemia to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected knee conditions are rated at 10 percent each, based on degenerative arthritis and painful motion. The Board denied increased ratings as the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.