Other conditions decisions — 2022

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death has been granted due to the submission of relevant new evidence, and a VA opinion is needed regarding the etiology of his cause of death.

Service connection is granted for myelodysplastic syndrome and thrombocytopenia, with the latter being secondary to service-connected myelodysplastic syndrome.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings for her foot conditions have been denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for survivor's pension because her income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran withdrew their claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for blindness resulting from eye surgeries, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural deficiencies. The claims of service connection for left foot drop and entitlement to special monthly compensation for loss of use of bilateral lower extremities are being remanded, as well as the claim for lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow disability began during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's emergency room visit for groin pain was deemed a medical emergency, and the VA facility was not feasibly available. The Veteran is granted reimbursement for his non-VA medical services.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left cubital tunnel syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the gastrointestinal disorder of a duodenal ulcer, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were continuous since service separation and meeting the requirements for presumptive service connection.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made.

The Veteran's root canal disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation and consideration of all relevant evidence, including reports of loss of taste, teeth, and maxilla.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (leukemia), and pancreatic cancer as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that may be associated with these conditions.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is not entitled to a higher rate of VA DIC benefits as her current DIC benefits are sufficient given that the Veteran had been receiving compensation for his service-connected disabilities rated as totally disabling for at least eight years immediately preceding death.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction with urethral stricture, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer and not an internal deformity of the penis.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not eligible for accrued benefits as executor of the surviving spouse's estate and has ordered a remand to allow him to submit evidence showing he personally paid expenses related to the surviving spouse's last sickness or burial.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision, so the case is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for benign familial myoclonus and mitral valve prolapse in June 2010, finding that the conditions did not manifest until after service and were not related to military service. The Veteran's appeal was not successful as he did not file an appeal or motion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion on the severity of PTSD prior to December 17, 2018 and addressing service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include bipolar disorder).