Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, which he claimed as stomach ulcers. The decision is based on his credible lay testimony of in-service gastrointestinal distress and a partial gastrectomy performed decades after discharge.

The Veteran's left eye blindness is not service-connected as it was caused by age-related macular degeneration, which the VA examiner concluded was not a result of carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that the July 2001 rating decision denying service connection for the cause of death is not CUE. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence, but the Veteran's cause of death remains under review as it may be related to service exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cold weather injuries of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, including Raynaud’s phenomenon, due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's pension benefits are currently being discontinued due to his incarceration. The Board has decided to remand the case for further action, including contacting the Veteran and his spouse to obtain their current contact information.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the appellant's request for a videoconference hearing, which was not granted. The appellant is now entitled to have her case heard by a Decision Review Officer (DRO) at the San Diego RO.

The Veteran's service at the United States Naval Academy is not considered qualifying active duty for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance benefits, and thus his claim for eligibility is denied.

The Board has determined that a fracture of the tip of the nasal process of the maxilla is at least as likely as not related to a car accident in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The case is remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need for a VA mental health provider's opinion on whether the appellant was insane at the time of his service separation.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically adjustment disorder with depressed mood, finding that it began during the Veteran's military service and is aggravated by his service-connected physical disabilities.

The Veteran's death is remanded due to unresolved claims for service connection, including those related to his respiratory issues and potential exposure during service. Accrued benefits claims are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral eye condition is related to his in-service exposure to jet fuel exhaustion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and requests additional medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development regarding his kidney condition, initially claimed as hydronephrosis. His hypertension claim also requires a statement of the case.

The Veteran's right eye partial blindness is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further development. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for stomach disability, testicular cancer, skin disability, and herpetic neuralgia were denied as there was no evidence of a service connection.,The Board found that the diagnosed conditions (gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, testicular cancer, seborrheic keratosis, and post-herpetic neuralgia) are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was granted with an effective date of May 29, 2014.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA pension benefits was validly created due to unreported income. The Board found that the Veteran had not acted fraudulently or in bad faith, and that repayment would cause undue financial hardship for him and his family. Therefore, a waiver of recovery of the $27,216 overpayment was granted.

The Veteran's medical expenses at John D. Archbold Memorial Medical Center on December 14, 2014 are covered as the treatment was for an emergent condition and a VA facility was not feasibly available.

The Veteran's service does not overlap with a period of war, so he is ineligible for nonservice-connected pension.