Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for venous insufficiency of the left lower extremity was granted with an effective date of July 26, 2019. The Veteran is currently rated at 60 percent prior to August 13, 2018 and denied any increase in rating thereafter.

The Veteran's cause of death (cardiopulmonary arrest, septic shock, and pneumonia) was not related to his service-connected conditions. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s disorders to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for T-cell lymphoma is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic adenocarcinoma, is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty service.

The Veteran's in-service motorcycle accident did not result in teeth lost as a result of loss of substance of body of maxilla or mandible. Any current loss of substance of body of maxilla or mandible are not due to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with chronic ventricular arrhythmias, claimed as due to exposure to Agent Orange and diabetes mellitus is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange is dismissed.

The Veteran's lymphoma, presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure during service in Thailand, is considered the principal or contributory cause of his death. The Board granted service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for dizziness and balance problems, finding no new and material evidence since the previous denial in October 2012. The appeal was also denied for a grant for an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only due to lack of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA pension benefits in the amount of $109,605.13 was timely filed and the appeal is now remanded to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to educational assistance benefits under Chapter 1606, Title 10, United States Code (Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves) due to incomplete development. The case must be readjudicated and a supplemental statement of the case provided.

The Veteran's son, J.R., is being considered for recognition as the helpless child of the Veteran due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching age 18. The VA will obtain SSA records related to J.R. and review the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left big toe conditions and his service, including a nail infection in service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The case is now moot as the need for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance has been addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability with blood poisoning and clots, including as diagnosed as and hereafter referred to as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The appeal was denied because there was no evidence of an in-service injury or evidence linking the Veteran's condition to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's daughter, B.D., with spina bifida, is entitled to payment for home health aide services provided by the appellant from December 17, 2015 through December 31, 2015. The claim was granted due to the appellant meeting the regulatory definition of a home health provider and having a valid care plan.

The Board denied increased ratings for chondromalacia and arthritis of the right knee, instability of the right knee, chondromalacia and arthritis of the left knee, and instability of the left knee.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for right elbow tenosynovitis prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's adult daughter was granted accrued benefits in the amount of $9,965.00 for unreimbursed costs incurred during his final sickness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest, was not caused by a service-connected disability. The medical evidence does not support a connection between the Veteran's in-service arrhythmias or ablation procedure and his fatal condition.

The Veteran's left hand injury, which resulted from a penetrating wound, has been rated at 10 percent since March 2014. The rating is based on the reduced muscle strength and pain observed during VA examinations.