Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for pancreatitis as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The effective dates for the increased disability rating of 100% for rectal disorder and SMC by reason of being housebound were not found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The appellant's service did not meet the threshold requirement for eligibility for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits as he did not have 90 days of qualifying active military, naval, or air service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected ischemic heart disease, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the carotid artery and renal artery stenoses contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a thoracolumbar spine strain due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left elbow disability and remanded his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's lipomas are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating. The issue of service connection for thyroid cancer is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip and leg disability is now pending.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of the overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits was denied because recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye condition, including dry eye syndrome, is related to his in-service injuries and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear documentation regarding payment of aid and attendance benefits for the Veteran's spouse. The appellant needs to provide proof of payments made for her last illness, funeral, and burial, and the VA needs to prepare a complete audit of the compensation benefits paid.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand tendonitis due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination and opinion.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran, and no service connection issues are addressed.

The Veteran's left eye astigmatism and keratoconus were denied a compensable rating prior to April 7, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The veteran's service in the Selected Reserve did not meet the minimum requirement of at least 6 years, thus denying eligibility for VA loan guaranty benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for throat cancer, status post total laryngectomy, based on exposure to ionizing radiation during military service.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was denied DIC, death pension, and accrued benefits due to lack of legal marriage prior to the Veteran’s separation from service.

The veteran did not complete the required six years of service in the Selected Reserve, thus failing to meet the eligibility criteria for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of insomnia and whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination report and a failure to consider all of the Veteran's symptomology associated with his left thumb disability. A new VA examination is required to assess the severity of the disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for pain and stiffness, but not limited to the extent required for a higher rating. The Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.