Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be examined by VA to determine if his currently diagnosed unspecified neurocognitive disorder is related to service. The current examination did not provide sufficient rationale, and an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is permanently incapable of self-support prior to turning 18 years old, and therefore entitled to VA death benefits as a helpless child.

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

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral eye disability, dry eye syndrome, HSV I, and HSV II have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot and left foot hallux valgus need further examination to determine if they are caused by his service-connected gout.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for alopecia by history (claimed as hair loss) is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hip replacements are granted as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. The claim for left and right hip strains is also granted, with the condition that it be considered secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for peptic ulcer disease and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's current diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease did not have onset during service or is otherwise unrelated to service, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for serpiginous choroiditis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board found compelling circumstances that justified the appellant's prolonged absence without leave (AWOL) and therefore determined his service discharge was not a bar to receiving VA benefits.

The appellant's mother was in receipt of monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The appellant incurred expenses exceeding her accrued benefits, but there are no additional funds due and unpaid from VA to reimburse such costs.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the criteria for payment of burial benefits were not met.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer, is presumed to be related to radiation exposure during his service in Enewetak Atoll.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to incomplete records and need for clarification regarding the Veteran's drill service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was due to willful misconduct and not related to active service.

The Veteran's infertility prior to May 12, 2017 was rated at 20 percent due to bilateral testicular atrophy.

The Veteran's left and right hand essential tremors have been rated based on the severity of their impact on daily activities. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for both conditions, with a 20 percent rating for his right hand essential tremor effective September 3, 2015, and a 30 percent rating for his left hand essential tremor effective June 19, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he did not meet the eligibility requirements for reimbursement benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1725, including being enrolled in the VA health care system and having received health care provided or authorized by VA within the 24-month period preceding his emergency treatment.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability was denied, and the Board found that he is not entitled to any higher ratings at any point.

The Veteran's loss of vision in the left eye was not caused by VA care, but rather due to his own negligence and non-compliance with medical advice.