Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot injury with arthritis due to potential aggravation during service and the need for further medical examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal regarding payment or reimbursement of medical services received at Monongalia General Hospital on May 25, 2016 is remanded for further development to determine if he received VA medical services within the required timeframe.

The Board denied service connection for a personality disorder as it is not considered a disease or injury eligible for VA compensation, and there was no evidence of additional disability on top of the personality disorder from a superimposed disease or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colon cancer and the cause of death due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during active duty. The Veteran's military records indicate he served in Thailand, but it is unclear if he was exposed to herbicide agents there or elsewhere.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for clarification on the onset of the Veteran's foot conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for menstrual problems due to new lay evidence submitted since the last denial. The issue of service connection for residuals status post hysterectomy is remanded as a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his right lower extremity varicose veins has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in February 2019.

The Veteran passed away during the appeal, so their case is dismissed.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a tonsillectomy is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for another VA dental and oral conditions examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 27, 2018 at Augusta Health Medical Center are being remanded for further development to obtain VA treatment records and authorization documents.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of abdominal wound cellulitis due to VA medical treatment from October 20-24, 2011 is denied because the Veteran did not sustain an additional disability as a result of VA care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diverticulosis, testicular condition, and squamous cell carcinoma were not related to his service or exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vascular condition does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 40 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on persistent edema or subcutaneous induration, stasis pigmentation or eczema, and persistent ulceration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death and its relation to his service, specifically Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to engage or retain substantially gainful employment prior to October 1, 2019. Therefore, the claim for a TDIU prior to that date is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% evaluation of his service-connected chronic laryngitis, finding that there was no evidence to support such an earlier effective date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits and remanded it due to procedural inadequacies. The appeal is also remanded for a determination on special monthly pension based on housebound status or need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current CAD, myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus (DM). As a result, the claim for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.