Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest due to congestive heart failure and respiratory failure, was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the severity of the Veteran's service-connected recurrent small bowel obstruction, specifically whether it more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to asbestos exposure as there is not enough evidence in the claims file to determine whether or not a nexus can be shown between the Veteran's exposure in service and his current symptoms. A medical opinion is required.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for vitiligo, as they need additional information and a new VA opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives and the need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his teeth are replaceable and do not meet the criteria for a compensable dental disability.

The appellant withdrew her claim for an earlier effective date for survivor's pension, so the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's treatment at UF Health Jacksonville Department of Emergency Medicine on January 7, 2016 was not for a condition that required immediate medical attention due to the lack of significant underlying symptoms. The Board found that a prudent layperson would not have expected delay in seeking medical attention to be hazardous to his life or health.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in previous opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is being reviewed, with particular attention to whether any diagnosed condition constitutes a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI) or if it is a structural gastrointestinal disease.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to lack of a definitive opinion on their etiology.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant has been awarded $300.00 for nonservice-connected burial costs and $749.00 for a plot/internment allowance. The appellant's claim is denied as there are no legal bases to award additional amounts.

The Board has granted a general apportionment to the appellant on behalf of their children, R.O. and J.O., in the amount of the dependency allowance for two dependent children from the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits for the period between August 19, 2014 and November 30, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for vertebral fracture, T10 compression is denied as the evidence does not support an increase in disability due to limited and painful motion.

The Board has decided that a minimum, initial 10 percent rating for chest pain is granted. However, the Veteran's entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected chest pain is remanded due to new evidence suggesting worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's daughter, S.A.P., is granted a 35% monthly apportionment of the Veteran’s VA disability compensation benefits on her behalf. The decision was made due to the Veteran not reasonably discharging her responsibility for supporting S.A.P.

The Veteran's service connection claim for jungle rot on his feet is remanded due to the lack of a formal diagnosis and treatment records, but exposure to herbicides is presumed. The Board requests additional evidence including an examination by a clinician.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a thoracic spine disorder and TDIU. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board granted an increased disability rating of 80 percent for vasovagal syncope from November 24, 2014, based on the Veteran's reports of at least one major episode in three months over the last year.