Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for respiratory and gastrointestinal disabilities due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. Additional development is needed, including obtaining missing treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right eye disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right leg shin splints had an onset during active military service or was caused by a disability incurred while performing active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected herpes simplex virus, type II (claimed as genital herpes infection), finding that her condition required constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs during the past 12-month period.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the Board denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of his death and his claim for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for flight training education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) for the commercial pilot certification program beginning on August 1, 2017 is granted. The Board found that the courses were taken simultaneously and qualified for payment up to the maximum yearly cap.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on its relation to service, specifically in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected left foot condition is being remanded due to the possibility of increased severity since the last examination six years ago.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings for nasal fracture, traumatic head injury, and jaw fracture.

The Veteran's skin condition is being remanded for further examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected dermatophytosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals and heavy metals during his military service, which is necessary to determine if his death was caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's costochondritis and chest pain are related to his chiropractic treatment, and whether any additional disabilities were caused by or became worse as a result of the VA treatment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of right spontaneous pneumothorax was denied, and the Board referred the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's lung condition was incurred in service due to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected supraventricular arrhythmia (SA) is rated at 30 percent throughout the appeal period, effective December 8, 2014.

The Veteran's medical expenses at St. Luke’s Fruitland Medical Plaza (SLFMP) and emergency transportation services on February 5 through February 6, 2015 are granted. The Veteran's medical expenses at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center (SAMC) on February 6, 2015 are denied.

The Board has requested that the Agency of Original Jurisdiction issue a statement of the case on the issue of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The Appellant must submit a timely substantive appeal to receive appellate review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left eye disability, nasal septum fractures, and multiple facial fractures. The appeal was dismissed for the remaining issues.

The reduction of the disability rating for service-connected gout from 40 percent to 20 percent was improper, and the rating is restored to 40 percent effective January 10, 2017.