Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's emergency medical services at Lakeview Medical Center were timely filed and covered by VA. The treatment was for a heart attack, which required immediate attention to avoid life-threatening consequences. As the nearest available appropriate level of care was at a non-VA facility (LRMC), no other VA facility was feasibly available, thus allowing for payment.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Advanced Medical Imaging in Bozeman, Montana on June 2, 2015 are granted as his condition was an emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's left foot condition is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that her continuous post-service symptoms are related to her in-service injury during AIT.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the validity of a debt, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notice regarding service connection on a secondary basis and the need for an examination to address whether the Veteran's right elbow disability is related to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for muscle spasms is reopened due to new evidence submitted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and microwave radiation, as well as the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his current colon cancer.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cancer originated in his larynx, which is a critical factor for determining service connection. Additional medical records are needed to make this determination.

The case is being remanded to determine the current nature and severity of the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma condition, as well as whether any residuals are a result of the condition or its progression.

The Veteran's Acute Myelocytic Leukemia (AML) is granted as service connected due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, which qualifies under the presumptive provisions for diseases associated with contaminants in the water supply.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his dizziness, elbow pain, respiratory disorder, sinus bradycardia, and hyperglycemia. Service connection is not granted for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's loss of the sense of smell is being remanded for further evaluation due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer with loss of intestines and loss of teeth as secondary to colon cancer, finding that the Veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence. The Board also found no exposure to herbicide agents in the Philippines.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA death pension benefits due to her countable income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for a mood disorder. However, the Veteran's current mood disorder is not found to be causally related to his service-connected right knee disability or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia is rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is reducible and supported by truss.

The Veteran's lymphoid leukemia is granted as service connected due to exposure to carcinogens during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and for further examination. The Veteran's service connection claim is not granted at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for stage IV colon cancer with liver metastasis due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran, which includes his exposure to chemicals in service. The case is being sent back for an additional VA examination and opinion.