Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the debt created by removing the Veteran's deceased spouse, S.D., is valid and must be addressed in a separate decision. The issue of waiver of recovery of overpayment is also remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's skin disability, including vitiligo.

The Veteran's memory loss is not considered a qualifying additional disability under 38 U.S.C. §1151, as the preponderance of evidence does not show it was caused by prescribed lorazepam.

Your annual clothing allowance for the year 2015 has been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA disability compensation was waived due to the administrative error by VA, and recovery would violate equity and good conscience.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's fatigue, pseudo brain tumor residuals, and brain lesion. The claims will be reviewed again with additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation and SMC based on need for aid and attendance was denied as there were no earlier claims pending, and the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claims.

The Veteran's skin disability, which is already service-connected and not related to any exposure basis like PACT Act or Agent Orange, has been reduced from 30 percent disabling to 10 percent disabling effective July 1, 2013. The rating was further reduced to zero percent disabling effective March 31, 2014. The Board finds that additional development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's recurrent perianal abscesses and hidradenitis suppurativa have been granted a higher disability evaluation of 40 percent, effective September 27, 2002. Additionally, the Veteran has been awarded TDIU from September 27, 2002 through January 6, 2009.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for arthritis of the right hand, left thumb, and left foot. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

Your appeal for a higher rating for your restrictive airway disease has been dismissed because you withdrew the appeal.

The Veteran's arthritis of the feet and hips was granted service connection. A rating of 30% for cervical spine arthritis is also granted throughout the appeal period.

The appeal is dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and therefore, the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left thumb condition is related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for a chronic left thumb strain/soft-tissue injury is granted.

The Board denied the reduction in VA disability compensation benefits due to concurrent receipt of active service drill pay for fiscal year 2011, finding that it was proper based on existing regulations.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that this rating does not accurately reflect the severity of his disability. The Veteran contends that his hiatal hernia causes him occasional arm and shoulder pain, as well as occasional sleep disturbances.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right hand disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for either disability.

The Veteran's medical expenses at Florida Hospital on April 3, 2014 were reimbursed because her condition was an emergency that required immediate attention and VA facilities were not feasibly available.