Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right thigh disability, claimed as itching, numbness, and tingling, requires further examination due to new evidence associated with his claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for narcolepsy is granted, and a VA examination is needed to determine the cause of his current condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disorder should be remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right foot hallux valgus, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU), were all denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The decision found that there was no evidence supporting a compensable rating for either condition under Diagnostic Code 5280 and also determined that the Veteran's TDIU claim did not meet the criteria based on his combined disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an undiagnosed chronic respiratory disability, manifested by breathing problems and coughing, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether this condition is related to the Veteran's Persian Gulf War service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) due to radiation exposure, finding that there was no evidence of ionizing radiation exposure during service and concluding that CML is not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to leukemia, concluding that there was no evidence linking it to his military service or herbicide exposure.

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

The appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with depressed mood has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The issue of a TDIU has also been dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal (TDIU) has been granted in full.

The surviving spouse's claim for higher death pension benefits and consideration of unreimbursed medical expenses was denied as her countable income did not change the amount of improved death pension she received.

The Veteran's service connection claims for dental conditions are denied. He is granted eligibility for VA dental treatment for the lower teeth in the jaw due to a service-connected fractured mandible, but his claim for upper teeth treatment is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a blood disability, finding no evidence of a current condition and noting that there is no in-service disease or injury to which the claimed condition could be related.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Paget's disease is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing an orthopedist with a clarifying opinion on the likely cause of the Veteran's right hip arthritis.

The Veteran's trigeminal neuralgia is found to be related to an injury sustained during inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) in December 2014, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's death did not qualify for nonservice-connected burial benefits due to the untimely filing of the application and lack of associated expenses.

The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a non-VA hospitalization on August 5, 2014 at PSPH is granted. The decision was based on the fact that the Veteran had private health insurance (Medicare) covering part of his expenses but not all.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private medical records from Dr. C.F.

The Board found that the former spouse demonstrated financial hardship and the Veteran did not, thus granting an apportionment of $300 per month to the former spouse for the period from June 1, 2009, to May 31, 2010.