Other conditions decisions — 2020

Service connection is granted for gout, but the service connection for a back injury is remanded due to incomplete STRs.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute heroin intoxication, with atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease being a significant but not the underlying cause. The Board denied service connection for both the cause of death and the cardiovascular condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits or a plot allowance. The appeal is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right eye choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM), finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to ammunition and explosives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability due to trauma, finding no evidence of in-service trauma or compensable dental disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by Agent Orange exposure and smoking history.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case as the appellant is deceased.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the VA Form 21-8940 was not received, and the Veteran needs to complete and return it.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there is no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date for adding a dependent child, S.E., to his VA award.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed for accrued benefits, including reimbursement of expenses related to his last sickness and burial. The appellant has submitted evidence of the costs incurred but needs to provide proof of payment by submitting copies of checks used to pay these bills.

The Board denied an effective date prior to September 27, 2018 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of timely filing.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA examinations and addressing the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining SSA records and determining the appropriate disability rating for her lateral subluxation of the right patella. Her claim for service connection for insomnia disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's VA disability compensation was reduced due to concurrent receipt of active service drill pay for FY 2015, resulting in an overpayment. The Board notes that a paid and due audit is needed as the RO has not conducted one yet.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected osteitis, maxilla and mandible, bilateral, with loss of teeth and masticatory surface is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left foot contusion and strain, a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia, and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The reasons are that new examinations are needed to evaluate the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his heart condition to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dental caries (claimed as tooth pain secondary to tonsillectomy) because there is no evidence of a current disability, and the condition does not meet the criteria for compensation.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was denied Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because her claim for the benefits was received after the 10-year delimiting period following the Veteran’s death had expired. The appellant did not apply for DEA benefits within the 10-year eligibility period, as she did not request an extension due to medical infeasibility and as she did not serve on active duty during the 10-year delimiting date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury, claimed as a right ear skin condition, finding no evidence of frostbite or other disability related to service.