Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's application for benefits was received by VA on March 3, 2016. The Veteran died on March [Redacted], 2016. There were no accrued benefits due and unpaid at the time of his death to reimburse the appellant for the cost of the Veteran’s last sickness and burial.

The Veteran's sporadic shortness of breath and chest pain have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected hypertension with hypertensive coronary artery disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, and kidney disease.

The Veteran's service-connected fainting spells and vasovagal episodes of syncope are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss as a residual of an in-service head injury is remanded due to inconsistencies found during the March 2017 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appeal is inextricably intertwined with a claim for pension pending at the time of the Veteran's death. The appellant must be determined as a proper substitute before any decision can be made on the burial benefits claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cyst on the left-hand ring finger is being remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for kidney cancer is granted. The issue of whether he has a current disability related to in-service exposure to jet fuel and other toxins while serving with a fighter squadron in the Navy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left clavicle disability. The issues on appeal are entitlement to an increased rating for the disability and entitlement to TDIU due to the disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA pension in the amount of $9,704.70 due to his failure to report income from a private loan repayment.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and he did not require aid and attendance as a result of his service-connected conditions. Therefore, the claim for SMC based on aid and attendance for accrued benefits purposes is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lung adenocarcinoma. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased evaluation claims.

The Veteran's service connection for status post-surgical replacement of pseudoaneurysm is granted. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's nephrolithiasis is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding claims for an eye disorder, respiratory disorder, and varicose veins. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly pension based on the need of regular aid and attendance, and nonservice-connected pension were denied due to his income exceeding the maximum annual pension rates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, initial disability rating higher than 10 percent, and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of stroke or its residuals, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions. The Board also found that there is no evidence linking any acquired psychiatric disability to service. Both issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left epididymitis, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7525.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his skin conditions and thyroid condition are related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The issues of service connection for hyperthyroidism and supraventricular arrhythmia are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's foot and back conditions. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current foot disorders are related to service, including whether his pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by service. Additionally, the issues of service connection for a back disorder are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for a foot disorder.

The Board denied the claim for accrued benefits as there were no accrued benefits owed to the Veteran at the time of his death.