Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left eye posttraumatic cataracts, status post intraocular lens replacement is being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and opinions regarding his visual field loss and glare symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding a current skin disorder, other than residuals of cellulitis and epidermophytosis of the feet, that may be related to service-connected cellulitis and epidermophytosis of the feet. The Veteran is seeking secondary service connection for his skin disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including chronic ocular irritation, poor eyelid closure, and altered appearance of the eyes, was granted compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a VA browlift procedure in November 2006. Other eye disability was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity meralgia paresthetica and iliotibial band syndrome disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for dental treatment purposes.

The Veteran's right eye disability is rated at a 10 percent rating since March 25, 2019. A separate 10 percent rating for the painful scar of the right eye as of June 9, 2016 is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for lung and gastrointestinal disorders, finding that the current conditions are not related to military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's optic neuritis of the left eye was granted a 10 percent disability rating prior to August 27, 2014 and denied any higher rating from that date. The Veteran also received a 10 percent disability rating for decreased visual acuity in his left eye during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its relation to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for right leg DVT, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to support the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for nasal atrophy, finding that there was no evidence of carelessness, negligence, or similar fault on the part of VA in providing the surgery.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's vitiligo began during his service in the Sinai Desert.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § § 1151 is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding whether his current disability was caused by or became worse as a result of the VA treatment at issue.

The Veteran's surviving spouse received special monthly pension with aid and attendance. The claimant, the adult daughter of the deceased Veteran, sought reimbursement for expenses she paid for her mother's last sickness or burial. The Board found that $1,530.45 was already reimbursed for funeral home costs, ambulance fees, medical expenses at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, pharmacy charges, and other related expenses. Nursing home care expenses were considered unreimbursed medical expenses and thus not eligible for reimbursement as accrued benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death benefits due to her remarriage after the Veteran's death, which is not an exception under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service period from July 23, 2010 to December 1, 2011 is considered qualifying active duty for Post-9/11 GI Bill purposes and grants a benefit level of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right breast cancer and residuals of a tailbone injury due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her exposure to fumes and chemicals during deployment in Iraq, as well as potential secondary service connection for back/tailbone pain related to her breast cancer medication.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 9, 2009 for service connection of varicose veins in both legs have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from February 7, 2014 has been granted. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date remains on appeal.

The Veteran's initial rating for his benign brain tumor is denied as the preponderance of evidence shows that it is not malignant.