Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were partially granted, with some issues being remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral leg disability and peripheral vascular disease, which are currently service-connected. The Veteran needs a VA examination to clarify these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether nicotine dependence with tobacco use is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected PTSD. The Veteran should be provided with a VA examination to determine this.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for left eye orbital fracture and a skin condition, so the Board has dismissed this case.

The Board denied service connection for venereal disease to include genital herpes, finding no evidence of a medical link between the current condition and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic diarrhea is granted an initial 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's lung disease, including interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. However, the Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure as there are no diseases associated with such exposure listed for pulmonary fibrosis. The Veteran's lung disease may still be service connected on a direct basis if it is determined to have had its clinical onset during active service or is related to any incident of service, including exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a left elbow injury, to include arthritis, was granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic contact dermatitis was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and seborrheic keratosis. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The appellant is denied recognition as the surviving spouse of her deceased husband for purposes of VA survivor benefits due to remarriage prior to filing her claim.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for service-connected deviated nasal septum, finding that the evidence was at least in equipoise and affording the appellant the benefit of all doubt.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the calculation of withheld benefit payments based on drill days, resulting in its dismissal.

The Board denied the appeal to terminate death pension benefits, finding that the appellant no longer meets the criteria for a surviving spouse due to her remarriage.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to incomplete information regarding the appellant's high school attendance. The AOJ needs to verify if she was enrolled in high school at the time of her father's death and whether there was a break in her attendance.

The Veteran's service dates fall between the Vietnam era and the Persian Gulf War, so he did not serve during a period of war. Therefore, he is ineligible for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the May 2017 VA examiner's opinion and the need for additional records, including consent forms. The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residual nerve damage of the left abdomen and pelvic area resulting from surgery in March 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA authorization records for treatment at a non-VA facility where the Veteran was admitted in the week prior to his death. The appellant needs to provide authorized records from Broward Health North and Vitas Hospice Care.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted, but he is not receiving benefits due to excess income. The Board has ordered a remand to provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit information regarding his personal unreimbursed medical expenses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is not about service connection and has been remanded to clarify his non-VA health coverage during his treatment at Ocala Regional Medical Center from September 13 to 15, 2014.