Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's rating for service-connected Lyme disease was reduced from 100% to noncompensable effective March 1, 2016. The reduction was proper as there is no evidence of active or residual Lyme disease at the time of the decision.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection issues are present.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic disability and that any current condition is not related to active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as insomnia and memory loss, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA opinion. The case will be returned for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if myelodysplasia is related to active service, including presumed herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's son, T.J., is recognized as a helpless child due to his permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18, which was established by evidence showing significant developmental and cognitive impairments.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to grant service connection for cause of death without further development. The Veteran's chronic myelogenous leukemia may be related to his exposure to herbicides in service, but this needs to be confirmed by a specialist opinion.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota on May 3, 2015 is remanded due to insufficient information regarding enrollment in the VA health care system and receipt of services under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 17 within the 24-month period preceding the treatment.

The Veteran's surviving spouse had no claims pending with VA at the time of her death and there were no unpaid VA benefits due. Therefore, accrued benefits are denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim of service connection for a c-section infection was granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for angioedema (claimed as overlapping of abdomen from c-section).

The Board has granted service connection for reactive arthritis, claimed as Reiter's syndrome, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostatitis.

The Veteran's synovitis of the left knee was granted a 10% rating prior to June 24, 2011.,A higher rating for synovitis of the left knee is denied since June 24, 2011.

The Veteran's liver cancer is presumed to be related to service at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for a brain disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a separate disability rating for bladder impairment and right lower extremity neurological impairment due to service-connected back disability, as well as her claim for TDIU. The Veteran's claims are pending until these issues can be adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional evidentiary development, including providing an examination to determine whether right upper extremity impairment is equivalent to 'loss of use' and addressing entitlement to a higher rate of SMC. The claims are being remanded again due to deficiencies in the October 2018 VA examination report.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for waiver of an overpayment of Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) educational assistance benefits, finding that repayment would not result in financial hardship and would not defeat the purpose for which benefits were intended.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of service discharge was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which is not a bar to receiving VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition (injury to front teeth) is denied as there is no evidence of bone loss or other recognized disability that would allow for compensation.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by gastrointestinal (GI) distress, finding that the Veteran's current GI conditions are not related to his military service.