Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's genitourinary symptoms as a residual of the excision of a ruptured varicocele of the left spermatic cord, with evacuation of cord are not rated higher than 0 percent due to lack of long-term drug therapy, hospitalizations, or intermittent intensive management. The voiding dysfunction is found not related to the service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for testicular cancer and basal cell carcinoma due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, as well as secondary to service-connected prostate cancer. The VA needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing causation and aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied a waiver of overpayment for compensation benefits from July 2012 to April 2014, but granted it for the period May 2014 to August 2016.

The Board granted service connection for right foot dermatophytosis but denied service connection for left foot fungus.

The Veteran's claim for waiver of overpayment of VA compensation benefits was denied as the debt was valid and not created by fraud, misrepresentation or bad faith. The Board found that both the Veteran and VA had fault in creating the overpayment but determined that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to the Veteran's financial stability.

The VA compensation benefits were reduced due to concurrent receipt of military service drill pay for a period of 19 days in FY 2014, and the appeal is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of T3 plasmacytoma should be remanded due to a duty to assist error and because the issue involves exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim regarding the VA recoupment of readjustment pay is remanded due to incomplete records and a need for an audit.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, including myopia and presbyopia, finding that her current refractive errors are congenital or developmental defects not subject to compensation.

The Veteran's gynecomastia is being remanded for an addendum VA opinion to determine if the prescribed Risperidone/Risperdal caused any additional disability, including gynecomastia.

The claim of service connection for multiple myeloma is denied as there was no actual or presumed exposure to herbicides, and the Veteran's current condition does not have a link to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for colorectal cancer and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the sternum were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disease during service, continuous symptoms since service separation, or manifestation to a compensable degree within one year of service separation. The Board also found that the current medical literature does not support causality between herbicide exposure and the risk of developing colon cancer.

The Veteran's periodontal disease, a non-compensable dental condition, is not service-connected as it does not meet the criteria for VA compensation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran is entitled to further development and review of their claim for air and ground ambulance travel expenses.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral ptosis and bilateral nuclear sclerotic cataracts, finding that the Veteran's current eye disorders were not caused by his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that another attempt should be made to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right and left eye disabilities due to repeated attempts to contact him.

The Veteran's daughter, E.B., is not eligible for additional dependency benefits based on her school attendance from February 2011 to May 2017 due to the lack of timely filing of claims and evidence.

The Veteran's application for VRAP benefits was granted as he met all eligibility requirements, including having a discharge other than dishonorable.