Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination, and requests updated treatment records and another gynecology examination.

The Board has decided that the claim for TDIU is not complete and needs to be addressed with missing documents. The case is being sent back to the RO so they can find these documents.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital for a finger laceration were denied because VA facilities were feasibly available and an attempt to use them beforehand would have been reasonable.

The Veteran's skin condition, other than his service-connected right foot callous, is not currently diagnosed. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a skin condition is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant can be recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA benefits purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to resolve a discrepancy between two previous medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further action regarding the Veteran's tribal income and its impact on his eligibility for VA improved pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting and incomplete information regarding income and net worth prior to April 18, 2019. The Veteran needs to provide specific details about his SSA benefits, unemployment payments, and retirement account.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his discharge from active duty service was dishonorable, making him ineligible for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions and need for clarification regarding the Veteran's visual impairment, claimed as complete blindness, left eye, due to cataracts surgery. The issue will be addressed again with a new VA opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastritis, anemia, and hysterectomy associated with anemia are granted. The claim for a left knee condition is denied. For the period prior to November 6, 2017, the Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tibialis posterior tendon injury to the left foot is granted. From November 6, 2017 onwards, an evaluation of 20 percent, but no higher, for tibialis posterior tendon injury to the left foot is granted. The claim for scars on the left lower extremity associated with tibialis posterior tendon injury to the left foot remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pancreatic cancer was caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The appellant must provide a medical opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's small bowel obstructions are rated at a 40 percent since December 20, 2006.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's son, A.G., is receiving SSA benefits. The VA needs to obtain his complete SSA records for the case to be reconsidered.

The Board found that the termination of TDIU from December 1, 2017 was not proper and restored it by a March 2019 rating decision. The claim is now moot as the Veteran has already been awarded TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The appellant is not entitled to a higher rate of DIC benefits because she does not meet the criteria for such an increase, including having dependents or being housebound.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lichen planus is related to service, specifically his time at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran served there for a period of 2 years and VA now presumes exposure to contaminated water during that time.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA assistance in obtaining private treatment records. The Veteran's appeal is currently before the Board on both rating periods, and efforts must be made to obtain any relevant medical records from his primary care physicians.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his panic disorder with agoraphobia was granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent effective from June 22, 2016.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia was also granted.