Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran is granted a total rating due to individual unemployability prior to November 12, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage (stroke) is granted as the delay in treatment by VA caused his condition.,Service connection for an aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage (stroke) is denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's PTSD and diabetes are both remanded for additional examination and rating determination.,The Veteran's diabetes is also remanded for additional examination and rating determination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for any further development suggested by those records. The Veteran's claim of secondary service connection for paraplegia is being reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse, and this decision is remanded to ensure proper procedural steps are taken for a contested claim involving D.H., who was previously recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for adding his spouse and child as dependents to his VA disability compensation were denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective dates have already been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches have been reopened. The Board has found new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral leg nerve condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the thoracic spine.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected Lyme disease, which required surgery and contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inaccurate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's deviated septum, which pre-existed his active service. A new VA examination is required to determine if the condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's spouse, R., was added as her dependent to her VA disability compensation effective January 13, 2006. The Board found that an earlier effective date of January 13, 2006 is warranted due to the initial award of a combined rating of at least 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to verifying herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service in Thailand, and because entitlement to service connection for the cause of death is inextricably intertwined with the severance issue.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left lower extremity nerve damage is proximately due to surgical treatment on his service-connected left knee, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for adding his spouse, children H. and E., to his VA disability compensation were denied as there was no evidence of the events prior to January 23, 2017.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant requested to withdraw them.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's left aphakic sensory exotropia, claimed as left eye blindness, clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his active duty service or was directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral pleural plaques is due to his in-service exposure to asbestos. The Board has determined that the criteria for service connection are met, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral pleural plaques.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the pending earlier effective date issue for his bowel incontinence. The earlier effective date issue will be addressed first, and then the TDIU claim will be readjudicated.

The Board has granted the waiver of recovery of accrued interest, penalties and fees on a $2,972.50 overpayment of Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) education benefits due to circumstances beyond the appellant's control.

The Veteran's additional left eye disability, including decompensation and blindness, is denied as it was not caused by VA carelessness or negligence.

The RO denied special monthly pension due to the need for aid and attendance on the merits. The appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, so she is not eligible for death pension benefits. A remand is needed to clarify her caregiving services and update her income information.