Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran had tachycardia or syncope, and whether transfusions are required to maintain a hemoglobin level above 7.0gm/100ml.

The Board has determined that the appellant's monthly expenses for her assisted living facility qualify as medical expenses, allowing her to meet the income requirements for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has not found sufficient evidence in the misplaced paper claims file to determine if the Veteran's clothing allowance claim should be granted. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, resulting in denial of his application for NSC pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits from October 2009 to April 2011 was properly created due to the Veteran's failure to report her divorce, and thus denial of waiver of recovery. The creation of the overpayment debt from May 2011 to February 2016 is attributed to sole administrative error by VA.

The Board denied the appellant's request to extend her delimiting date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits beyond March 26, 2016 due to age limitations and lack of other exceptions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that the claim was not filed within one year of the Veteran's death and thus the earliest possible effective date is June 12, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for blood clots of the legs and lungs, which is secondary to his service-connected low back strain with degenerative joint disease, has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's inguinal hernia may be related to his service-connected back disability and has ordered a remand for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of teeth, finding that there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right hip disability, including her internal derangement and limited extension. The remand is due to inadequate examination reports and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's refractory mantlecell carcinoma and his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's gastric adenocarcinoma, which caused his death, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to reopen a groin condition (testicles condition) has been granted. Service connection is also granted for the right foot and testicles conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of response from the Veteran regarding hearing requests and failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The claim for nonservice-connected pension is being returned to the RO for compliance with these directives.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear and skin disorders are denied. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding his right knee disability, which may affect his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right eye condition, categorized as branch retinal artery occlusion, is denied because there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives and an inability to obtain a new examiner's opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis, myocardial infarction, and insomnia may be related to his service in the Gulf War. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's TTP is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.