Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disability, finding that the Veteran's condition existed prior to his active duty and did not worsen during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and death pension as the surviving spouse of the Veteran, based on her continuous cohabitation with him from 2005 until his death in March 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right great toe disability has been reopened and is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the change in the Veteran's means test eligibility category from copay exempt to copay required for income year 2016 was improper, and thus grants the appeal.

The decision is remanded due to the need for additional information regarding the Veteran's income and copay eligibility in the VA healthcare system for the year 2016.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's 100% disability rating for his cognitive disorder and dysthymia linked to a cerebrovascular accident is restored as the evidence does not reflect actual improvement under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pain and sensitivity to cold of the face and jaw, a jaw disability, and loss of teeth are granted. The claim for service connection for a sinus disability is remanded due to lack of current evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it hinges on the adjudication of the sinus disability claim.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the lack of a VA examination addressing the etiology of the appellant's right hip disability, which may be related to his service-connected left ankle disability or an in-service incident.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such disorder and noting that recent treatment records do not indicate any chronic problems with the liver. The Board also found that the February 2017 VA examiner’s opinion was adequate to determine that there is no evidence of a liver disorder related to in-service exposure to sodium chromate.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic head and neck cancer, is found to be related to his exposure to herbicides in service. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and consideration of all evidence received since the last statement of the case.

The appellant's eligibility for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was denied because he turned 26 years old before the effective date of his father's permanent and total disability rating, which is a requirement for Chapter 35 benefits.

The claim for service connection of a heart disability, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is remanded. The claim has been reopened and new evidence was received that raises the possibility of a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right leg deep vein thrombosis as secondary to his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left hand disabilities are not service-connected. The case is being remanded to provide a more detailed examination of these conditions, including their onset during service and any functional impairments due to pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination for the Veteran's skin condition. The examiner did not address whether the skin condition is secondary to service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome with joint pain.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 1, 2004 for the addition of the Veteran's dependent child C.M. to her award of VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hernia disability was granted with an effective date of March 24, 2010. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm weakness and disability have been granted. The decision is based on the evidence showing a current condition, an in-service injury, and a positive nexus opinion.