Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, claimed as stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx, is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between herbicide exposure and the cancer.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for unguis incarnatus (ingrown toenails) as the condition did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's emergency room visit for vision changes and a lump on his nose was approved, as the treatment received met the criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Veteran's right eye disability is being remanded for additional development to obtain his treatment records from a VA medical facility in Durham, North Carolina. An addendum opinion will be requested to determine if the condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for heat stroke with mild bilateral calf muscle atrophy has been remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not submit new evidence within a year of the final denial to reopen her DIC claim. Therefore, the effective date for DIC benefits is August 15, 2013.

The Veteran's son filed a claim for accrued benefits, but the claim was denied because it was not submitted within one year of the Veteran's death.

The veteran's service was not during a period of war, and therefore he does not qualify for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board denied service connection for sleep disturbances and night sweats, finding that these symptoms are manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's surviving spouse filed a claim for accrued benefits more than a year after the Veteran's death. The Board denied the claim as it was not submitted within the one-year filing requirement.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts have been rated at 60 percent since February 13, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current residuals of a back injury were incurred during active duty service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has identified additional relevant medical evidence and finds a need to remand the case for readjudication in light of this new information.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to provide a detailed accounting of the overpayment amount and when he was compensated for his child based on school attendance.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of a stress fracture of the right tibia prior to February 26, 2018 and for a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter are remanded. The claim to reopen a service connection claim for lumbosacral strain is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is not found to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the denial of special monthly pension based on housebound status and aid and attendance criteria.,The appellant's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate for a surviving spouse with no dependents, resulting in the denial of death pension benefits.

The Veteran's adult daughter is recognized as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 years, based on her disabilities and educational needs.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's residuals of cyst removal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral corneal ulcers with Salzmann’s nodular corneal dystrophy is denied, but he is granted a 20 percent rating for lagophthalmos associated with these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a disability manifested by chest pain due to inadequate examination in March 2018. The Veteran's chest pain is being reviewed again with an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.