Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied accrued benefits in excess of $6,581 as the appellant is not eligible for such benefits due to his adult status and the fact that he was not a child within the meaning of VA regulations. The decision also noted that the appellant's claim could not exceed the amount already awarded ($6,581).

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral foot disorder, including pain and heel spurs, is remanded due to inadequate examination. The Veteran must be provided with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's former spouse is not recognized as a surviving spouse for the purpose of establishing entitlement to VA death pension benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a change in her vocational rehabilitation program goal from obtaining a master’s degree to pursuing a PsyD degree.

The Board has decided that there may be relevant VA and private treatment records for the Veteran's mononucleosis residuals, and thus remands the case to obtain these records.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to her exposure to chemicals in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to environmental contaminants during his active service at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, SC. The AOJ must verify the dates and extent of exposure and request an independent medical expert opinion if it is determined that there was such exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA non-service connected pension benefits due to lack of qualifying wartime service, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected prostatic hypertrophy was found to not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as the condition did not result in urinary leakage or increased urinary frequency.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ear pain due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether his current diagnosed bilateral ear disability is related to service, and if so, whether it is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The reduction in VA disability compensation for the recouping military drill pay from FYs 2007 through 2008 was proper, and the appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as chronic fibrotic interstitial lung disease with autoimmune disorder, is likely to have arisen during his service at Camp Lejeune. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent each, effective March 18, 2004. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either knee.,The Veteran reported constant pain in both knees, especially during cold weather and standing. His right knee flexion was limited to 83 degrees and his left knee to 98 degrees.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil is found to be directly related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has found no current diagnosis of a left arm disability, skin condition of the neck, or left ovarian disability. The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophageal varices are proximately due to his service-connected hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding medical records and VA examinations that were not previously considered.

The Board has restored a 30 percent disability rating for the service-connected bilateral inguinal hernia, recurrent on left, effective October 1, 2014. The RO did not establish that there was reasonable certainty of improvement under ordinary conditions of life.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a readjudication of the claim.