Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied an apportionment of the Veteran's compensation benefits to the appellant on behalf of her minor child, L.F., as she is not considered the Veteran's biological child.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye vision loss was received on October 28, 2008. The Board found that the effective date cannot precede this filing date due to the one-year rule and denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has decided that an addendum opinion is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's abdominal condition, including whether it was caused by VA care. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's spouse seeks retroactive adjustment of pension for calendar year 2016 due to unreimbursed medical expenses, but the claim is denied as there was no pending claim at the time of his death.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disorder, finding that his amblyopia was a congenital defect and not related to service. The cataracts and retinopathy were found to be unrelated to active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma, which is related to service but not directly connected to herbicide exposure. The examiner needs to provide a more detailed explanation for their opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins of the left lower extremity is an original claim due to new and material evidence submitted after a prior denial. The case is being remanded as there are missing records from the Veteran's treatment at Vein Care Pavilion, which could help determine if he had varicose veins in his left leg during service.

The Board has determined that appellant R.G. is the Veteran's valid surviving spouse for VA death pension benefits, based on her continuous residence with the Veteran and her establishment of a valid marriage under Philippine law.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claim for a refund of the $8,275.35 funding fee associated with her VA Home Loan was denied because she did not meet the criteria set by law and regulations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bowel disorder, bladder disorder, left hand weakness, right hand weakness, and loss of use of the left lower extremity have been dismissed. The appeal for increased rating for low back disability has been remanded.

The Board denied the reduction of nonservice-connected pension benefits for the period from December 1, 2016 to December 1, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing medical records, particularly those from the Veteran's hospitalization in 1999 and post-service treatment for various conditions. The appellant is asked to provide names of all relevant healthcare providers and any existing records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for myelofibrosis, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is remanded. The VA examiner will determine the nature and etiology of his myelofibrosis, considering his MOS and potential industrial exposures.

The Board has granted service connection for visual distortion of the left eye as secondary to tension headaches and remanded the issue of service connection for optic atrophy with strabismus of the left eye. The effective date remains pending.

The Veteran's large cell lymphoma is granted as service-connected, and he is also granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his terminal condition.

The Board found that the overpayment was validly created due to the Veteran's divorce from his spouse, and thus denied the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's ischemic stroke, finding it is etiologically related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service.