Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for his right fifth metacarpal fracture is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be impacted by the decision on the increased rating claim.

The Board has ordered additional development regarding the appellant's benefits from Social Security Administration and medical records from Dr. Lawrence Lopez and her high school.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's PVC, finding that it is related to symptoms of heart palpitations in service and secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for gastritis because no new and material evidence was submitted, despite the Veteran's attorney arguing for an examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left temporal AVM, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected vertigo. The tremors on the right side are also inextricably intertwined with the AVM issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development regarding the nature and origin of the Veteran's scoliosis and spina bifida occulta, which are considered congenital defects. The examiner is asked to determine if there was a superimposed injury or disease that caused an increase in severity during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left thumb disability due to his failure to report for a VA examination without showing good cause, and there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current carotid artery condition is related to his service. The VA examiner did not address the specific evidence in the case, such as the Veteran's symptomatology since service and STRs.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of medical services received at St. Peters Health Regional Medical Center in Helena, Montana is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is related to his service and/or a service-connected condition, specifically diabetes mellitus. As such, service connection for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by glioblastoma, which is not service-connected. However, due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, the Board finds it more likely than not that this exposure contributed to the development of the glioblastoma and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board denied the veteran's surviving spouse's claim for VA death pension benefits because her income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a surviving spouse with no dependents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, including a common variable immune deficiency disorder, has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the current severity, frequency, and duration of his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood symptoms. The VA will schedule him for a VA examination to assess these factors.

The Veteran's service-connected painful accessory navicular, right foot, post-operative condition has worsened and requires further evaluation to determine the appropriate rating.

The Veteran's additional disability, including a complete heart block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation, is considered to be due to the VA surgical treatment he received in June 2014. The Board found that this was not reasonably foreseeable and granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's transitional cell carcinoma is rated at a maximum of 60 percent, requiring the wearing of absorbent materials that must be changed more than four times daily.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board found that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits was validly created due to the Veteran's failure to notify VA of his divorce from M.M. and continued receipt of benefits based on her status as a dependent spouse.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease, which he claimed was secondary to diabetes mellitus, has been denied as there is no evidence of a compensable disability for VA purposes.