Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria, finding that there is no current diagnosis of malaria or associated residuals and no evidence linking it to his active duty service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of death due to acute intracerebral hemorrhage and GBM, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for individual unemployability prior to the Board's decision, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's death in November 1953 and the appellant's second spouse's death in February 2008 led to claims for DIC benefits. The May 2009 denial of these claims was final, and a new claim was submitted in February 2018 which resulted in retroactive payment starting March 1, 2018. Therefore, an effective date prior to March 1, 2018 is denied.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for residuals of a left distal radius fracture is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left distal radius fracture with arthritis.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for his stroke treatment at St. Luke’s are now covered by VA, with the exception of any copayment or deductible owed by him under his GEHA health insurance plan.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the bank account referenced in the February 2019 statement was the property of the Appellant and if it paid any final expenses related to the Veteran. The AOJ must verify these details before making a decision.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral hallux valgus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are equivalent to amputation of the great toe.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was awarded $2,000.00 in service-connected burial benefits. The appellant, the late Veteran’s daughter, cannot also be awarded burial benefits as she does not have priority for such benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his chip fracture of the right hip trochanter, finding that there was no evidence of limitation of motion or ankylosis to warrant such a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the cause of the Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions, but rather due to asbestos exposure before or following service. However, a remand is needed for clarification on whether the pre-existing condition (asbestos-related disease) aggravated during service.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore the claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits is denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for stomach bleeding on March 30, 2016 were reimbursed as it was an emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chest condition, to include chest pain, and to include as secondary to a neck condition due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 14, 2004 for the award of service connection for herpes. The Veteran's claim was received in September 2004 and she requested service connection for sexual trauma related to a reported in-service assault.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional records and information regarding the Veteran's in-home care, non-VA treatments for colon cancer, and any funeral expenses covered by VA. The Appellant must provide this information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for upper respiratory infection has been withdrawn. The increased rating for hypertension is granted, and GERD is denied.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for burial benefits as they are not eligible due to the Veteran's remains being claimed by his domestic partner, and the appellant is not among those listed as eligible for such benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's osteoporosis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has not fully addressed the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The case is being returned for further adjudication.