Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical nexus opinion linking the current skin rash condition to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected compression fracture of L-1 vertebra is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided that the appellant should not be responsible for repaying a debt of $4,142.22 related to educational assistance benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill). However, due to missing documentation and changes in financial circumstances, the Board has decided to remand the case for further action.

The Board finds that the Veteran's recurrent DVT is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $5,865.63 was properly created due to the Veteran's failure to promptly notify the RO of her divorce from her spouse.

The Board has remanded the case due to a disagreement with the assigned rating for the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, Eagle's syndrome, and status post-tonsillectomy. The VA is instructed to obtain any outstanding records and refer the claim to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder, nasal discharge, and respiratory condition due to undiagnosed illness related to service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War. The claims were based on direct service connection.

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 wife testified about the Veteran experiencing falls and large knots on his abdomen since 2004, which led to VA treatment. The Board is remanded to obtain VA treatment records from 2004 to 2011 for a gastroenterologist in Albuquerque.

The Board has remanded the case due to a potential issue with medical expense reports not being signed by the Appellant, who is the widow of the Veteran. The Appellant needs to provide signed copies of the relevant VA forms reflecting payment for her medical expenses.

The Veteran's daughter is not eligible for accrued benefits as the Veteran did not have a surviving spouse, child or dependent parent at the time of his death. The appellant also failed to provide evidence that she bore the expense of the Veteran’s last sickness and burial.

The Board has granted service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his deployment in Thailand and therefore presumed to have developed the condition as a result of this exposure.

The Board denied service connection for nocturia and muscle spasms/twitching neck, upper and lower extremities due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for narcolepsy without cataplexy and has remanded the case to develop further evidence regarding a TDIU claim.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent ratings for lymphedema of both lower extremities due to insufficient evidence showing actual improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability and left eye cataract surgery-related conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion to determine the nature of his current eye disabilities, their etiology, and whether they are service-connected or due to VA treatment.

The Board denied service connection for jaw pain and numb chin as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a bilateral hip disorder has been granted, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to events in service.