Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete consent form for a radical retrograde prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection performed in December 1998. The Veteran is seeking compensation under Section 1151 for loss of bladder control.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency treatment of deep vein thrombosis are granted, subject to VA payment regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and further review is needed by the Committee on Waivers and Compromises.

The Board denied the claim for nonservice-connected survivor pension because the appellant's income exceeded the Maximum Pension Rates in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the August 2018 denial, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD and/or diabetes mellitus have aggravated his paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. A new VA medical opinion is required from a cardiologist or similarly qualified physician.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence, including VA and private medical records, as well as SSA records. The Veteran's service-connected right forearm fracture residuals are being considered in relation to his claimed CRPS.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was already awarded $300 in burial benefits, so the appellant cannot be awarded any additional benefits. The Board found that she is not acting on behalf of the estate and thus does not have legal authority to receive these benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service in the MO National Guard does not qualify as active duty for Post-9/11 GI Bill purposes, and thus her eligibility for Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits is remanded to obtain clarification from the DoD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic disability manifested by periodic episodes of blurred vision, finding that there is no evidence to support this condition during or after his active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic groin condition is remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current groin pain and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 2, 2014 for a 40 percent disability rating for right femoral popliteal bypass due to arterial stenosis. The Board found that there was no medical evidence within a year prior to this date showing a factually ascertainable increase in the Veteran's disability.

The case is dismissed because the Veteran has not perfected an appeal in either the legacy or modernized system.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to disability incurred in or aggravated by service was granted, effective January 13, 2017. The decision is based on new and material evidence submitted after a previous denial.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for his gastroesophageal disability is granted, with the effective date set at June 5, 1973.

The claim to reopen the service connection for spinal degenerative disease has been granted. The case is remanded for a new VA examination and opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's spinal degenerative disease.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no effective date is assigned as the claim has been dismissed.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis, was not incurred during service and is unrelated to service. The Board found the evidence against a direct link between the Veteran's lung disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida on June 9, 2017 and from July 10 to July 11, 2017 are partially reimbursed due to the emergency nature of his hip dislocation.

The Veteran's cause of death, myelodysplastic syndrome, is considered to be due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death based on this presumption.