Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for myelofibrosis (claimed as myeloproliferative neoplasm) due to herbicide exposure during active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for non-service-connected pension benefits has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer is rated at 40 percent, which meets the criteria for recurrent incapacitating episodes averaging 10 days or more in duration at least four or more times a year.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a blood disorder, claimed as polycythemia vera, finding that there was not enough evidence to establish a link between his active duty service and the condition.

The Board granted service connection for unspecified trauma stressor related disorder with a 30% rating, effective September 14, 2014. Attorney fees in the amount of 20 percent of past-due benefits awarded from this decision are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to verify if he served on active duty during the Korean War, as his records were destroyed in a fire. The Board finds that without this verification, the Veteran does not have the requisite wartime service for pension eligibility.

The Board has determined that the matter is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues and remands it back to the AOJ.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tardive dyskinesia and whether it was caused by or aggravated by any medications prescribed by VA. The AOJ must ensure compliance with all directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination in determining whether the Veteran's skin condition is related to his military service, including any in-service sun exposure. The examiner must consider the Veteran's reports of treatment, sun exposure, and sunburns during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and requests for updated financial information, including child support records and Financial Status Reports. The appeal is not about service connection.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant is granted VA burial benefits based on nonservice-connected death. However, reimbursement for transportation expenses to a national cemetery is denied as the Veteran was not buried in one.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's intestinal bleeding is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected cirrhosis of the liver with chronic hepatitis.

The Board has granted service connection for polycythemia as secondary to the service-connected ischemic heart disease, but denied an earlier effective date.

The appeal of improper calculation of attorney fees of past due benefits awarded in a September 2019 decision is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's heat stroke is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity, including any asthenia and chronic fatigue.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a neck condition has been dismissed due to the withdrawal by his attorney.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was primarily at fault for not informing VA of his marital status, resulting in an overpayment. The decision grants recovery of $3,685 and denies recovery of $4,572 due to significant VA fault.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected duodenal ulcer disease contributed to his death. The case will be reviewed by another VA physician for a new opinion.