Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for left eye disability was granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development, including an addendum VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the appeal is not properly based on service connection and must be remanded to develop the claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred by the Veteran in December 2015.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility to VA loan guaranty benefits is remanded due to incomplete personnel records and service treatment records. The Board will attempt to obtain these documents through all indicated sources.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin rash should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient documentation of the date the claim was received, lack of July 21, 2016, SHECH treatment records, and incomplete service verification. The Veteran is also requested to provide any evidence of unsuccessful attempts to file a claim with Tricare or another third party.

The Veteran's claim for total disability based on unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed because he was already receiving a 100% rating for his service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, which makes the TDIU claim moot.

The Board has decided that NSC pension benefits were correctly adjusted from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013. The appeal for an increased rate of pension is denied. The issue regarding the adjustment from January 1, 2014 is remanded.

The Veteran disputes the creation of an overpayment for education benefits due to her pregnancy and inability to attend school. The Board finds that clarification is needed from the Veteran's school regarding whether she completed her coursework or withdrew.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disc degeneration, spondylosis, and strain are related to his in-service back pain and injury. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating increase in excess of 70 percent for panic disorder, to include agoraphobia is denied. The claim for an effective date prior to February 8, 2016 for the grant of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also denied.

The Veteran's right leg disorder is remanded due to the VA examiner not fully considering her lay statements regarding continuity of symptomatology and the severity of the in-service injury.

The Board denied the appellant's application for non-service-connected disability pension benefits because he did not have qualifying active military service, as evidenced by his uncharacterized discharge and lack of official service records.

The Veteran's claim for synovitis of the hands and feet was remanded due to incomplete documentation in his initial application. The effective date remains July 28, 2011.

The Veteran's colon cancer is granted as service connected due to radiation exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left arm and right arm weakness, as well as the TDIU claim due to a lack of VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of liver disease and therefore, service connection for liver disease is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chewing disability, nerve pain on both sides of the face, and throat irritation and infection have been denied as there is no evidence of chronic dental disabilities or other conditions related to service.

The Board denied benefits for spina bifida, concluding that the appellant did not have a service-connected condition and her mother was not a Vietnam Veteran. The appeal is unclear regarding clothing allowance or fee disputes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate adenocarcinoma was first submitted on January 27, 2009. Therefore, the effective date cannot be earlier than this date.