Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further development regarding payment or reimbursement of medical expenses at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in October 2010. The Veteran seeks reimbursement for costs not covered by his personal motor vehicle insurance.

The Veteran's claims for SMC, TDIU, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a vision disability due to VA treatment were denied as the evidence did not show an additional disability resulting from VA care.

The Veteran's service-connected stress fractures of the right and left tibia have been granted increased ratings to 10 percent each. Service connection for bilateral ankle disorders is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for left and right lower extremity peripheral artery disease. This includes obtaining updated medical records, conducting a VA examination, and considering any new evidence.

The Board has granted the appellant's application to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that his glioblastoma multiforme was related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that the appellant had established a plausible causal relationship between the Veteran's exposure and his fatal glioblastoma.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death because new evidence did not establish that his colorectal adenocarcinoma was caused by exposure to Agent Orange or otherwise related to service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a transient ischemic attack as there is no current disability related to the in-service event.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined for his cardiac and respiratory disabilities, as well as TDIU. The claims are being remanded due to the absence of proper notice regarding VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability manifested by vision changes, finding no relationship between any currently diagnosed right or left eye disability and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the termination of the apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits to the appellant was not properly handled and requires further review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his right foot condition, as well as service connection for arthritis of the left hip. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his right foot condition and whether it is at least as likely as not that his left hip condition was aggravated by his right foot condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for cardiomyopathy and has determined that it is at least as likely as not that his cardiomyopathy is secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The decision also grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's pyelonephritis resulted in recurrent urinary tract infections requiring drainage or hospitalization more than two times per year prior to November 2017, and definite decrease in kidney function from November 2017 onwards. The Board granted a 30% rating for the period before November 8, 2017, and a 60% rating from November 8, 2017 to May 18, 2019. A 80% rating was denied after May 18, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding the Veteran's VA compensation benefits during his incarceration period.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypercholesterolemia was denied as there is no evidence that the condition resulted in any functional impairment and it is not a disability for which VA compensation benefits are payable.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for dental and bilateral foot disorders. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for urinary condition (claimed as frequent urination) because there is no evidence of a currently diagnosed urinary condition and the medical records do not show any in-service event or injury related to this condition.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a paralyzed left phrenic nerve resulting from VA surgery is denied, and the claim for secondary sleep apnea to this condition is also denied.