Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for accrued benefits was withdrawn by the appellant and her representative before a decision could be made. As such, the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral calf disability, claimed as psoriatic arthritis, and an initial compensable rating for posttraumatic headaches are remanded. The claim for an increased rating for TBI is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other two claims.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore the claim for burial benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a groin injury is granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability, experienced an in-service event or incurrence of his groin injury, and linked the injury to service.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic H. pylori gastritis and gastritis with erosions and severe duodenitis is currently rated at 20 percent, but he contends that a higher rating is warranted due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected atrial fibrillation was not manifested by more than four episodes per year of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia documented by ECG or Holter monitor prior to March 30, 2018. As such, the initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a throat condition and non-calcified lung nodules due to environmental hazard exposure, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's daughter is not eligible for accrued benefits as she is beyond the age of 23 and does not qualify as a child eligible to receive such benefits. The appellant has not argued or submitted evidence that she incurred any expenses related to her father's last sickness and burial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cerebrovascular accident (CVA), claimed as stroke, and for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU benefits is dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to proceed.

The Veteran's cause of death is listed as cardiac arrest and possible acute coronary syndrome. The Board has determined that the Veteran’s in-service exposure to an herbicide agent must be conceded, but no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether these conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran died in 1977 and is buried in a private cemetery. Since he did not die on or after November 1, 1990, he is not eligible for a government-furnished headstone or grave marker.

The Veteran's lung disability is granted as secondary to in-service asbestos exposure. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts and dental condition are remanded for further development due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of exostectomy, dorsum, right foot is remanded due to the need for a medical examination. The appeal was granted solely on reopening the claim.

The Board denied the claim for burial or interment in a VA national cemetery as the decedent did not have active military service and died from a disease unrelated to his period of ACDUTRA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's service in Vietnam, and an additional request for Marine Corps unit records is needed from NARA.

The Board denied service connection for a right forearm disability as there is no evidence of arthritis in the right arm during or proximate to the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of medical expenses and mileage costs submitted by the Appellant, which may affect her eligibility for additional Parent's Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

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