Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration. For the beta thalassemia with retinal hemorrhage claim, a remand is needed to obtain an addendum opinion from a hematologist regarding whether the preexisting condition was aggravated during service. For the sleep apnea claim, a remand is needed to verify if the Veteran served in Southwest Asia and to obtain an addendum opinion on the etiology of the sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for neurosis, finding that his symptoms were better characterized as PTSD with persistent depressive disorder. The Board concluded he did not have a separately diagnosed disability of neurosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for VA survivors' pension benefits from November 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 due to the Appellant's income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate. However, it granted the claim for pension benefits from March 1, 2018 onwards.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a dental condition and denied it. The Veteran's claim was not related to his service, but new evidence indicates he may have had secondary service connection due to prostate cancer treatment.

The Veteran's costochondritis has been rated at a 10 percent since July 2013, reflecting moderate impairment of the thoracic muscle group. The condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for payment or reimbursement of medical services received at Medical City Plano on September 4, 2017 and September 28, 2017 have been dismissed because the claims were rendered moot due to VA having already made the payments.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cause of death and death pension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cardiac arrest. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as a surviving spouse for death pension purposes because her second marriage ended after November 1, 1990 and was not annulled or found to be void.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected genital herpes simplex type I, secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her disability and determine if she requires systemic therapy.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability.,The Board denied both the DIC claim and the service connection for cause of death.

The Board granted recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death benefits, finding that despite their divorce being final in 1993, they lived together and held themselves out as married until his death. The appellant was unaware of Louisiana's nonrecognition of common law marriage.

The Veteran's request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a decision review officer (DRO) hearing.

The Board has found the previous independent medical opinion inadequate and remanded for a new one from a dermatologist or similar expert, considering the Veteran's service history and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue and gastric ulcers/gastritis disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits because she did not provide sufficient evidence to show that she personally paid expenses related to her mother's last sickness and burial.

The Veteran's unauthorized non-VA care for a viral respiratory infection was reimbursed as it met the criteria due to emergent nature and lack of feasible VA availability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and attempting to obtain information related to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total disability rating due to esophageal injury residuals. The issues are being returned for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Italian Naval Hospital and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a carcinoid tumor condition of the gastrointestinal tract, finding that it had its onset during service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.