Other conditions decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical treatment from Tampa General Hospital is being remanded due to unclear end date of the emergency care and potential misstatement in the Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatic steatosis, finding that there is no relationship between his condition and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the issue was resolved in favor of the appellant with a full waiver granted, making it moot.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a skin disability due to insufficient development and lack of an opinion on whether the condition is related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's symptoms include itching, bumps, and dryness from February 2017 onwards.

The Veteran's cause of death from hepatocellular carcinoma is not related to his active service, and the Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided that VA incorrectly reduced the Veteran’s nonservice-connected pension benefits due to previously unreported income and has ordered further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of verification regarding the source of the Veteran's tribal income, which is used for his pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diplopia was denied. The rating for left maxillary alveolar fracture residuals with left TMD from March 15, 2013 to May 6, 2014 was granted at a 30% rating.,The rating for left maxillary alveolar fracture residuals with left TMD from May 7, 2014 to July 1, 2018 was denied. The Veteran's condition improved and the rating was increased to 20% starting from July 2, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for non-specific hepatitis prior to July 17, 2018 was denied. The claim for service connection since July 17, 2018 was granted at a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for further actions including obtaining the Veteran's education file and readjudicating the claim. The decision is not binding on VA policies or interpretations of general applicability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for gall bladder, prostate, and salivary gland disabilities. The VA needs to obtain missing military assignment information from Fort Dix and Fort Sam Houston.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disorder, including lumps or tumors on the chest, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's competency to handle VA funds was restored in a March 2018 rating decision, making the issue moot and dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed numbness of fingers and toes, which he attributes to cold injuries sustained during active duty in Korea. The claims are being remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion from a specialist in cardiac electrophysiology or cardiology, and additional development is required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg shortening and right foot disability, including DJD, hallux rigidus, hallux valgus, and hammer toes. The decision is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, including gouty arthropathy, finding that there was no evidence of onset during or within one year after service and no relationship to any period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, claimed as periodontal disease, is denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's leukemia, which was due to his military service and exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, contributed substantially or materially to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substantive appeal for higher rate SMC benefits was timely filed, despite VA initially denying its receipt. The decision is based on the presumption of regularity and equitable tolling due to circumstances beyond the Veteran's control.