Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cold injury residuals of the bilateral hands, claimed as pain and arthritis, are service-connected due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Banner Health Clinic in Ogallala, Nebraska on July 10, 2017. The decision found that the treatment was not for an emergent condition and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during non-VA hospitalizations for treatment of service-connected conditions are granted, as the care was rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional accrued benefits in excess of $741.34 as there was insufficient evidence to determine if the expenses were due to last sickness.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including missing VA and private medical records. The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings for her service-connected undiagnosed illness conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the care provided by VA during his post-surgical infection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral eye disorder is denied as her diagnosed eye disorders (presbyopia, myopia, and astigmatism) are refractive errors of the eye and not subject to service connection. No disease or injury was superimposed upon such defects during service that resulted in additional disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for brain damage due to electric shock treatment was denied as the cause of his disability is not service-connected.,Service connection for acute cystitis secondary to DDD of the lumbar spine was also denied, with no evidence linking the two conditions.

The Board denied accrued benefits as reimbursement for the last sickness and burial of the Veteran’s surviving spouse because the appellant failed to provide proof that she paid for these expenses.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection issues are addressed.

The Veteran's daughter, E.C., is not eligible for the transfer of her father's Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) education benefits because the service department has not approved a request for the transfer.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if his Hodgkin's lymphoma was caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The DIC claim is also being remanded due to the need for additional development related to the service connection issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for left and right knee conditions due to inadequate examination opinions regarding the etiology of his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's carcinoma of the gums is remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including presumed Gulf War Agent Orange exposure.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits are being remanded for compliance with contested claim procedures and further consideration.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied as there is no evidence that VA's failure to diagnose and treat the colloid cyst in May 2006 caused his current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for SMC based on aid and attendance requirements and housebound requirements due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new examination.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits as her claim was denied.