Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for stomach cancer, breast condition, and spleen condition all claimed as due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's exposure is conceded. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is in remission, and he does not have any current residual conditions or symptoms attributable to his service-connected adenocarcinoma of the prostate. His voiding dysfunction is due to his bladder cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding recoupment of disability severance pay for service-connected disabilities, as the service department found that his disabilities were not incurred in a combat zone or during performance of duty in combat-related operations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a gynecological disorder, including endometriosis status post hysterectomy or other disorder of the uterus or cervix, is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of her condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and will seek to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the appellant's hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) is not attributable to exposure at Camp Lejeune, resulting in a mixed finding. The claim is granted as the evidence suggests the condition may be related to other causes.

The Board found that the RO properly discontinued TDIU benefits, as the Veteran was actually employable and had been substantially and gainfully employed for at least twelve months prior to the discontinuance.

The Veteran's widow died in August 2013 and filed for accrued benefits, including reimbursement for the costs of her last sickness and burial. The claim was denied because it was not submitted within one year after the widow's death.

The Board has decided to remand the DIC and accrued benefits claims due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the cause of death, incomplete record development, and need for issuance of a Statement of the Case on accrued benefits.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including his right upper lobectomy for cancer, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's iritis of the right eye needs to be re-evaluated due to recent symptom worsening. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is related to the increased rating issue.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral varicose vein conditions have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, including sedentary work, due to his inability to stand or walk for prolonged periods of time.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected cold-induced urticaria has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's osteomyelitis, resulting in left toe amputation, is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse due to her divorce from the Veteran, which was final in October 2000. The Board found that there is no legal basis to recognize the appellant as a surviving spouse for VA benefits.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed due to the Veteran's death before a decision could be made.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete actions from the previous remand. The Veteran's claims for unauthorized medical expenses are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran died without any service-connected disabilities and was not receiving VA compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. Therefore, he is ineligible for burial benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected right trapezius strain, rated as cervical spine strain, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to its limited range of motion and functional loss.