Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete actions by the AOJs and requires that a Statement of the Case be issued for both issues.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a death pension from February 1, 2009 to February 1, 2010 due to her income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR).

The Veteran's cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest due to likely pneumonia and stage IV gastric carcinoma. The service-connected ischemic heart disease did not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for special monthly pension, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination at an appropriate facility.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be decided. The Veteran's complex regional pain syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, and neurological disability are being remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death was aggravated by his service-connected malaria.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguity in the Veteran's employment status and procedural deficiencies. The issue of apportionment of VA disability compensation benefits on behalf of the Veteran's children is being reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dental disability is related to his service-connected epiglottis carcinoma and radiation therapy, granting service connection for this condition.

The appellant is granted accrued benefits for expenses incurred related to her mother's last sickness and burial, as she personally incurred these costs.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Bronson Battle Creek on January 9, 2013 due to lack of prior authorization and the fact that a VA facility was feasibly available for treatment.

The Board denied the claim for accrued benefits as the Appellant is not eligible to receive such benefits due to her age and lack of a qualifying relationship with the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including hammer toes, pes cavus, and recurrent fracture of the fifth metatarsal, may be related to his active service. However, due to the complexity of the medical issue, an independent medical expert is needed to provide a definitive opinion on whether the Veteran's current condition was caused or aggravated by VA care during February 2008 surgery.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's Peyronie's disease. The Veteran served during active duty and testified about an in-service injury, but there are conflicting medical records. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the service-connected trauma caused the current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a cardiovascular disability is granted. The Board finds that the new and material evidence received since the last final July 2008 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's myelodysplastic syndrome and his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left and right fourth finger disabilities are service-connected, with a 10% rating each. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is being remanded for further development. Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury remains pending.

The Veteran's emergency treatment for back pain and leg pain was approved, as the nearest VA facility was not feasibly available to provide the care.