Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's dermatophytosis of the feet is currently rated at 10 percent, and his appeal for an increased evaluation has been remanded. The SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound rate remains denied.

The Veteran's spouse was added as his dependent to his VA disability compensation effective November 1, 2015. The Board found an earlier effective date of February 16, 2000 is warranted based on the initial submission of a claim for recognition of the spouse as a dependent in January 1991.

The appeal regarding the bilateral hand condition is dismissed. The appeals for left leg condition and dizziness are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current left eye disability is related to his in-service fuel splash incident.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed because they died before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye vision loss as his current condition is considered a congenital or developmental defect of the eye and not a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation relating to service connection.

The Board found that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits was validly created due to the Veteran's failure to notify VA of his divorce from his spouse, which resulted in continued payment of benefits. The appeal is denied.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to mustard agent, as there is insufficient evidence regarding his claimed exposures and resulting conditions.

The Veteran's right thumb disability is rated at 10 percent from October 31, 2014 to February 18, 2016. A higher rating of more than 10 percent for the right thumb disability is denied. Service connection for neck strain and back strain is also denied.

The Veteran's death is not service-connected, but the appellant seeks burial benefits based on a service-connected cause of death. The Board finds an inadequate medical opinion and requires a new one to determine if in-service conditions contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 60 percent, but no higher for left hand, loss of use, previously rated as status-post fracture of the left hand/small finger is granted. Additionally, entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the left hand is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's urinary frequency is being examined further for its nature and etiology, including whether it is related to service or her service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's pension benefits were reduced due to the simultaneous receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. The VA and SSA need to provide a clear accounting of the Veteran’s VA pension benefits, including dependency benefit received on behalf of the helpless child from August 2011 to the present.

The Veteran's left foot condition is being remanded for additional medical examination and review of service records to determine its etiology. The case also involves secondary service connection due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acoustic neuroma began during his active duty service, thus granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for glioblastoma multiforme as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) and also granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's estate is granted increased burial benefits in the amount of $434.00 and reimbursement of transportation expenses in the amount of $275.00.

The Board has granted a three-month temporary total rating for convalescence with a one-month extension due to the Veteran's June 2014 service-connected left thumb surgery, finding that it resulted in therapeutic immobilization of his left wrist through October 3, 2014.

The Board has decided that the appellant's service character needs to be re-evaluated and additional records are required for this determination.