Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be affected by the outcome of the service connection claim.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant withdrew his appeal, stating he no longer wishes to pursue it.

The Veteran's initial rating for a strain of the thoracic spine is being remanded due to insufficient information from an August 2017 VA examination regarding additional loss of range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge from service was not under dishonorable conditions due to lack of moral turpitude, thus allowing him to receive VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his dates of active duty and inadequate examination reports. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Veteran's non-VA medical expenses for a nosebleed on October 25, 2015 were reimbursed as the treatment was deemed necessary due to an emergency condition that posed a serious threat to her health. The nearest VA facility was not feasibly available and seeking care at BRH was considered reasonable.

The Board has granted an additional $3620.98 in accrued benefits to cover the cost of hospice care and medications provided by the appellant for her mother's final illness, in addition to the previously awarded $903.45.

The Veteran's claim for reinstatement of a 30 percent rating for keratosis pilaris is denied. The Board finds that the evidence establishes clear and unmistakable error in the June 2012 rating decision, but a remand is required to provide an updated VA examination to accurately reflect the current state of her disability.

The Veteran died at a private hospice facility and was not receiving any VA compensation or pension benefits. The claim for burial benefits is denied as the criteria are not met.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility is denied as the claim was not filed within 90 days after the treatment and no retroactive provision applies.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability compensation benefits to a 10% rate effective July 18, 2011 was proper due to his felony conviction and incarceration.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits. The claim is denied.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year was received after the deadline, and therefore his claim is denied.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue and joint and muscle pain as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and review of VA treatment records, specifically those from June 2010 to October 2012. The Veteran's liver disability is being evaluated in relation to VA medical care.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are not sufficient to rate the Veteran's service-connected elbow disabilities, and a new examination is needed to assess the extent of his bilateral medial and lateral epicondylitis.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hand psoriatic arthritis and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his employment status.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to attend scheduled VA examinations for his right testicle disability. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it was not addressed in the first instance.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service, and the Board finds that his claim for service connection should be granted.