Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the VA Medical Center's August 2016 letter of determination and a complete copy of the Veteran’s April 2017 VA Form 9 correspondence are missing, and thus remands the case for obtaining these documents. The Board also orders the VA to attempt to obtain private medical records from Yavapai Regional Medical Center Gastroenterology related to May 2016 treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for laryngeal cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea and thus meets the presumptive criteria for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his claimed Restless Leg Syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lung disability manifested by chest pain is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of expenses incurred for transport to a private hospital via ambulance on December 8, 2014 is being remanded due to incomplete records and unclear interactions with the VA claims processing center.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon and liver cancer, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with substance abuse. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit a revised medical opinion from Dr. Nehru and undergo a VA examination.

The petition to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knees and lower back condition as secondary to bilateral knee pain.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a disability manifested by loss of balance, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral chronic otitis media with postoperative residuals and scar. The issue is being remanded due to an internal inconsistency in the December 2016 VA examination report.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of VA compensation benefits, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete adjudication of both issues related to effective date and CUE motion. The case must be readjudicated for both issues.

The Board has determined that there are missing VA treatment records and a need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee total arthroplasty performed at Hines VAMC in November 2010, to determine if it caused an additional disability.

The Board has decided that there are questions regarding the Veteran's net worth and pension benefits, and requires additional information to determine if his net worth is a bar to receiving VA pension. The Veteran needs to provide updated income and expense documentation, including details about his IRA and bank accounts.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's skin disease is related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran was previously denied service connection for his skin condition, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's death from pancreatic cancer is found to be service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected mild pterygium OS, pterygium surgery OD (graft) is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of his claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's surviving spouse had income exceeding the statutory limits for death pension benefits, thus she was not legally entitled to these benefits. As a result, there are no due and unpaid benefits to which the appellant is entitled.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, entitlement to a death pension, and entitlement to burial benefits greater than $300.00 due to incomplete information and need for further medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for his pulmonary vascular disease and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are remanded as there is evidence indicating that the Veteran’s condition has worsened since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's surviving spouse did not have a pending claim for VA benefits at the time of her death, and thus no accrued benefits are owed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tonsillar cancer has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.