Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma on the base of his tongue is related to his active service, including his presumptive exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the overpayment of VA compensation benefits due to fugitive felon status was properly created and the appeal is denied.

The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence of a valid date of claim for additional compensation for the Veteran's spouse, and the preponderance of the evidence supported denying the claim.

The Veteran is granted a 10% disability rating for service-connected residuals of a jaw fracture on the basis of substitution, effective from when the claim was filed.

The Board found that the appellant's income was correctly calculated for pension purposes and that her death pension benefits were appropriately reduced due to private income earned in 2009. The Board also determined that her countable income exceeded applicable maximum annual pension rates beginning on April 1, 2013, leading to termination of her death pension benefits.

The Veteran's daughter did not provide sufficient evidence to claim additional accrued benefits, as she was not considered a child for VA purposes and failed to prove that she bore the expense of last sickness or burial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of colon cancer is not related to his service, specifically due to a lack of evidence linking it to exposure in Southwest Asia. The case is being remanded for further investigation and an updated medical opinion.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected left distal fibula fracture with traumatic arthritis, finding that it more nearly approximates moderate ankle disability and thus warrants only a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations, and a new examination is required to assess the Veteran's right elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current heart conditions are related to his active service, specifically due to a lack of an adequate opinion on the etiology of his heart condition. The Veteran is advised that he can obtain a private medical opinion if desired.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of documents or communications prior to January 31, 2008 that could be liberally construed as a claim for death pension benefits, including for aid and attendance.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a neck condition based on new and material evidence is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a neck condition is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and therefore it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide proper VCAA notice and for further development of the claim, including obtaining an advisory medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammer toes, finding that there is no competent and credible evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for colon cancer, prostate disability, and anemia due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a sinus disability, extreme thirst, and shortness of breath due to incomplete development in prior decisions.,Further medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral flat foot disability is related to service, as it was noted during active duty and not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause impairment that requires the aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cancer of the tongue has been dismissed due to their death.