Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's daughter, who is over the age of 23 and not permanently incapable of self-support before the age of 18, was denied accrued benefits as she did not meet the eligibility criteria. The claim for reimbursement of last sickness and burial expenses was also denied due to lack of evidence.

The claim for accrued benefits is denied as it was not filed within one year of the death of the surviving spouse.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurocognitive disability, including memory loss and speech issues, is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination. The claim for reopening of the claim for service connection for memory loss due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune has been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, excluding PTSD, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to a fellow service member’s blood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's medical expenses at Colorado Springs Cardiology on May 15, 2014 are eligible for payment or reimbursement under VA regulations and has ordered a remand to obtain necessary records.

The Board found that the appellant and the Veteran had a deemed valid marriage, which allowed the appellant to be recognized as the surviving spouse for purposes of DIC benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disability, including left eye amblyopia, bilateral nuclear cataracts of the eyes, astigmatism, and myopia, finding that these conditions are not diseases or injuries for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma, in situ, is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not attributable to his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation secondary to diabetes mellitus due to new evidence showing that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is now requiring insulin.

The Veteran's widow was granted VA death pension benefits, but her monthly benefit of $1,094 effective December 2012 had been withheld due to incompetency. The appellant is the widow's son and has submitted receipts for medical expenses totaling $5,278 that he paid on behalf of his mother. The Board awarded him up to $5,278 in accrued benefits.

The Veteran's daughter is seeking additional accrued benefits due to funeral expenses, but the Board finds that only $6,671.92 was paid for burial and no other expenses were incurred or reimbursed.

Your heart condition was granted service connection in February 2016, but the appeal is dismissed because no disagreement was filed and you have since passed away.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus s/p L5-S1 discectomy with spondylosis and IVDS is being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection for Crohn's disease and also denied his entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Board denied service connection for a left thigh disability and a disability manifested by fatigue due to lack of current diagnoses, despite the Veteran's assertions. The Board found that there was no evidence of such disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and for esophageal cancer due to asbestos exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking his pulmonary fibrosis to his military service, including exposure to asbestos. The Board found that the medical evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's in-service exposure and his later diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left leg condition status post tibia fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction (ED) is denied as there was no evidence of VA carelessness, negligence or error in judgment resulting in the disability. The Board found that ED was not caused by or worsened by the use of catheters for urinary retention.