Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's surviving spouse was awarded aid and attendance, but the appellant did not provide sufficient evidence to show she paid last illness and burial expenses. As a result, accrued benefits for reimbursement of these expenses are denied.

The Board granted the appellant's appeal, finding that his discharge from service under Other Than Honorable Conditions does not serve as a bar to receiving VA benefits.

The Veteran's request to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for right foot condition, including hallux valgus, is granted. The Board finds the evidence new and material and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected vertical diplopia, finding that he was not unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment by reason of this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of right inguinal hernia, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided do not fully address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disorder and coronary artery disease. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service, including any in-service exposure.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of the recovery of an overpayment of VA pension benefits was denied because it was not received within 180 days of notification.

The Veteran's son, G.J., is denied recognition as a helpless child for DIC benefits due to his marriage being terminated after November 1, 1990.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 30, 2009 for the grant of service connection for peritoneal cancer was denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating of 100 percent disabling for peritoneal cancer from October 30, 2009 to March 18, 2013 was granted.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits for a dependent spouse is granted for the period from December 1, 2010 to August 1, 2012. The remainder of the overpayment is denied as recovery would defeat the purpose of the benefit.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability and chronic urinary tract infections, finding no current diagnosed disabilities related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with its March 2018 remand directive, specifically regarding scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's scrotal disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue with radical neck dissection (now claimed as trachea, larynx, tongue, and esophageal cancer) due to herbicide exposure. The evidence supports a finding that this condition is related to the Veteran's military service, including presumed exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for acute left and right Achilles tendonitis due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a separate rating for seventh cranial nerve disorder as secondary to service-connected Graves' disease, left and right trigeminal nerve injuries. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts with ptosis, status post welding burns are being remanded for further development and rating consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA examination report and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of prurigo nodularis is now pending.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for delusional disorder, with grandiose and persecutory features. The character of discharge from service was also found to be honorable, thus not a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development, and the claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is sent back for further development.