Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for bilateral lower extremity disability due to inadequate prior examinations and a need for new examination by a different examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee condition is remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left leg exercise induced shin splints are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for thrombocytosis and granted it, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for numbness in his toes, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by subchondral sclerosis and tibial joint surface issues, was granted a 30 percent rating effective October 25, 2016. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thrombocytopenia and insomnia due to incomplete service treatment records and new VA treatment records. The Veteran's contentions regarding his nosebleeds during deployment and sleep disruptions while on Quick Reaction Force (QRF) are also being addressed.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic colon cancer and febrile neutropenia. The Board found that the Veteran did not have in-service radiation exposure, and there is no evidence linking his metastatic colon cancer to service. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied in May 2002 due to the denial of his application. The effective date of October 18, 2016 is assigned as the earliest possible date based on the receipt of a completed application.

The Veteran's daughter is seeking payment or reimbursement for hospital care and medical services for neurobehavioral effects under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program. The appeal has been remanded due to insufficient clinical evidence regarding whether her conditions resulted from exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied restoration of a 100% rating for large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with anemia, finding that the reduction was proper and there was no evidence of improvement in the disability.

The Veteran's estate was not expected to cover the costs of his maintenance for his remaining life expectancy, thus it was not reasonable to expect that the Veteran's estate could be consumed for the Veteran's maintenance and thus bar the payment of his nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran's VR&E case was properly discontinued as he achieved maximum rehabilitation gain and did not actively pursue employment.

The Veteran's death was not service connected, and the appellant did not provide evidence of a pending claim for compensation or pension benefits. The Veteran died at a private nursing home, which does not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Veteran's claim for VA nonservice-connected disability pension benefits was denied due to his incarceration at the time of application. The Board found that he had good cause for missing a scheduled examination and remanded the case for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any present left foot disability, including whether pre-existing conditions were aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's right foot disability, which includes postoperative residuals of a fracture injury, has been rated at 30 percent since September 2016. The Board found that the condition presented a picture consistent with severe foot injury throughout the appeal period and granted an increased rating.

The Veteran's application for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance benefits was denied because his service did not meet the eligibility requirements, specifically due to a four-year ROTC scholarship obligation that precluded qualifying active duty service from March 26, 2011, to May 8, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or to a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is related to his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The appellant must provide additional information and/or evidence, and VA will attempt to obtain any additional records needed.