Other conditions decisions — 2019

The reduction in the disability rating for peribronchiolar fibrosis from 100% to 60% was upheld, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was denied as of June 1, 2018.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 13, 2005 for the reinstatement of nonservice-connected pension benefits. The decision is based on the Veteran's income not exceeding the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) at that time.

The Board has remanded both issues related to service connection for the Veteran's throat cancer and cause of death due to recurrent tonsillar squamous cell cancer. The additional VA treatment records must be considered, and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) must be provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's dysphagia and his service-connected tongue condition. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current dysphagia is related to his active service or caused by his service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a testicle disability, finding that there was no link between his current benign cysts and any incident of military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to intoxication, finding that it was not caused by willful misconduct in the line of duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition and insufficient evidence to link it to his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for medical services received at Mease Dunedin Hospital on December 23, 2016. The claim is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and determine if the right hip pain was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between current urological conditions and service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is now pending.

The Veteran's right elbow strain is being remanded for further evaluation due to recent complaints and the need for updated examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and need for an addendum medical opinion regarding amyloidosis. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left hand disability was denied. He was initially granted a 10 percent rating prior to July 29, 2009 and then a 20 percent rating from July 29, 2009 to September 11, 2011. Since September 12, 2011, he is entitled to a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's death did not qualify the appellant for an increased amount of DIC benefits as he had a less than eight year period of total disability prior to his death and no other qualifying circumstances were met.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fracture of the right patella was denied, and his TDIU claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA examiner found no specific residual findings related to the prior patellar fracture.

The Board has granted service connection for a pain disorder associated with psychological factors, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran is also not entitled to an increased evaluation for peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, which could affect his cause of death claim.

The Veteran's death was not due to service or a service-connected disability. The appeal for accrued benefits is denied as the claim was not filed within one year of his death, and there were no pending claims at the time of his death. The appeal for death pension benefits is remanded as the appellant needs to provide additional evidence such as police reports and court transcripts related to her husband's death.

The Veteran's overpayment claim is being remanded due to incomplete information regarding her military drill pay days in FY 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for the Veteran's right elbow and forearm disabilities, as well as his left elbow disability due to lack of recent VA examination. The Veteran is also entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for subclinical ulnar nerve irritation involving the cubital tunnel (claimed as left elbow pain) beginning March 28, 2016.