Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's brain tumor during service or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, claimed as gum disease, is denied. The case is remanded to determine eligibility for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left eye disorders due to exposure to Freon fumes during service. The Veteran's VA treatment records from Jamaica Plains and West Roxbury facilities since his discharge in 1970 need to be obtained, and he should be scheduled for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current eye disorders.

The Veteran died in October 2017 and had no pending claims or accrued benefits greater than $1,794.00 at the time of his death. The appellant is not entitled to accrued benefits as she did not qualify as a surviving spouse under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip arthritis was granted, and a compensable rating of 10% was assigned effective August 19, 1996. The decision also grants an effective date of August 19, 1996, for the grant of service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's overpayment of compensation benefits in the amount of $6,388.04 was improperly created and is remanding for further action.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to the appellant's death.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of her right breast scars and cancer in her right breast. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination addressing whether the Veteran's left breast cancer is related to service or secondary to her service-connected right breast cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and myasthenia gravis, finding that there was no current diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and insufficient evidence to establish a link between myasthenia gravis and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, finding that there was no evidence of a link between his current eye conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability, including a retinal tear, is remanded due to incomplete records and the need to determine if his injuries occurred during active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Naples Community Hospital on March 6, 2015, as the treatment was not provided in an emergency situation.

The Board has granted a temporary total disability rating for convalescence following the Veteran's right foot bunionectomy from April 4, 2011 to June 30, 2011.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma, which was completely excised from the right ear, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it did not result in disfigurement or disabling scars. The Board denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical nexus opinions regarding whether the Veteran's eye disability is related to service or his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's death was not service connected, and the appellant did not provide evidence of a pending claim for compensation or pension benefits. The appeal is denied as there are no legal grounds to award burial benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for loss of right eye was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits from January 1, 2011 due to her failure to provide necessary income and expense verification as required by regulation.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no service connection issues were decided.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that liver cancer and lung cancer were not related to service. The Board also found that presumptive service connection for liver cancer due to herbicide exposure was not applicable.