Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Butler Memorial Hospital on May 4 and May 5, 2017 was denied because the claim was not filed within 90 days after discharge from the facility.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 27, 2015 at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center are granted for payment or reimbursement by VA.

The Board has determined that the unauthorized medical expenses incurred by the Veteran on May 5, 2017 are eligible for payment under VA regulations due to the emergent nature of her condition and the unavailability of a feasible VA facility.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the appeal, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the case.

The Veteran's request for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance was remanded due to his inability to attend a scheduled DRO hearing. The case is now pending again with instructions to reschedule the hearing.

The Veteran died from multiple causes not related to his service-connected conditions. His death is therefore not due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is related to his in-service exposure to environmental toxins, specifically from working as an apprentice firefighter at Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a link between the Veteran's service and his disabilities that caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's DIC claim for the cause of death is remanded due to incomplete records and need for further development. Accrued benefits claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's T-cell lymphoma was not shown to be related to service or any incident therein, and the claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left hand was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant such a rating.,The Veteran’s claim for an extraschedular evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the left hand is remanded to determine if it warrants consideration outside the regular schedular criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition was rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable criteria. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms were consistent with occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's daughter, S.P., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to intellectual disability and ADHD. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip arthritis, status post hip replacement, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected gunshot wound to the left tibia was dismissed as he withdrew from further consideration of this issue.

The Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a veteran with one dependent, resulting in denial of special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the appellant did not have active service and therefore does not qualify for VA compensation benefits.