Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's cause of death was respiratory failure due to glioblastoma. The Board is requesting an opinion on whether the exposure to herbicide agents caused his glioblastoma.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is remanded for further development, including an examination to determine if it is related to hazardous materials exposure aboard the USS Enterprise.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the addition of his current spouse to VA benefits is denied. The earliest possible effective date is November 10, 2014.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including chronic gastritis, should be remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient information in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-VA treatment provided by Bayonet Point Regional Medical Center on March 19, 2016 was eligible for payment or reimbursement due to the nature of his condition and the unavailability of a VA facility.

The Veteran's application for Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) educational assistance benefits was denied because he did not meet the eligibility requirements, specifically having less than three years of continuous active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected multiple myeloma is granted on the basis of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal to have a portion of his VA disability compensation benefits withheld during his incarceration is dismissed because he does not have a personal stake in the outcome.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal challenging the creation of an overpayment of VA disability compensation, finding that the debt was properly created and not solely due to administrative error.

The Board has denied initial compensable ratings for right hand post traumatic arthritis and left hand traumatic decapitation 4th finger and reattachment with post traumatic arthritis. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer was not proximately caused by VA care, and the Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning, thus preventing a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining service records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic esophageal cancer, is related to herbicide agent exposure during service. The Board granted the claim for service connection based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claim of service connection for Grave's disease, including as due to Agent Orange exposure and/or as secondary to service-connected diabetes. The remand requires an examination with an endocrinologist who will provide opinions on whether the Veteran’s Grave's is related to his service or if it was caused by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the amount of Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits awarded during specific school terms. The Veteran is asked to provide additional evidence and the AOJ will then determine if the debt was properly created.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for tachycardia was improper and invalid, and service connection is restored. Additionally, an initial compensable rating for a service-connected tachycardia disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 17, 2013 for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as there is no medical evidence or opinion supporting his claim before that date.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a current left knee disability and its relationship to service.