Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent examination for assessing the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected sleep disturbances, constipation, and urinary problems.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic conjunctivitis is granted, with the condition being found to have started during his military service and linked to an in-service diagnosis of chronic allergic conjunctivitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip impairments are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The condition is more likely due to avascular necrosis, which developed after long-term use of high-dose steroid medications for a non-service-connected condition (autoimmune hepatitis).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of gynecomastia (enlarged male mammary glands). As a result, the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the payment or reimbursement for medical expenses incurred at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital from April 5 to April 12, 2015.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Crohn's disease is granted, but the condition is not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records related to the Veteran's hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking a compensable evaluation for his service-connected lattice degeneration of both eyes, but the evidence does not show any incapacitating episodes or visual impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no rating was assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the removal of 26 teeth during military service is denied as there are no diagnosed dental conditions that qualify for VA compensation.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a benefit level in excess of 70 percent for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance and found that the overpayment of $23,622.28 was validly created due to VA's initial determination of eligibility at the 90 percent benefit level.

The Veteran's additional disability after the October 2007 colonoscopy at the East Orange VA Medical Center was found to be the direct result of the natural progression of severe diverticulitis and not caused by the care provided by VA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing imaging studies and clinical reports from 2003, which may support the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from the June 2013 VA examiner regarding the failure to exercise reasonable skill and care in diagnosing and treating his shingles, as well as a request for the VA Inspector General report.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of an eye condition, including cataracts and floaters, as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The VA is required to provide a new examination and obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any current eye conditions.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for medical expenses incurred at LGSH from December 5 through December 11, 2015, due to the Veteran and his spouse not notifying VA of their intention to transfer to LGSH's facility for continued non-emergency care.

The VA reduced the Veteran's disability compensation benefits due to her receipt of military drill pay for 10 days in FY 2012, and this decision is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his back disability, as well as a claim for extraschedular consideration. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute myocardial infarction (MI), was not caused by or related to service. Service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a right tibia and fibula fracture is remanded due to the lack of information regarding any associated ankle disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is remanded due to the lack of evidence confirming in-service asbestos exposure, which is a necessary element for an asbestos-related disability claim.