Other conditions decisions — 2022

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

VA's withholding of past-due DIC benefits for the purposes of remitting them to DFAS was proper, as per VA regulations and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Appellant did not dispute that she received her SBP benefits from DFAS.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for eligibility as the surviving spouse of her deceased husband, finding that she was not legally married to him at the time of his death and thus does not meet the legal requirements for VA benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete personnel records and insufficient evidence linking the neck injury to service. The Veteran's claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability (other than retinal hole surrounded by a ring of pigment, left eye) and respiratory disability (other than exercise induced anaphylaxis) has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have any current disabilities related to these conditions.,An initial 60 percent rating is granted for exercise induced anaphylaxis from November 22, 2021.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with mood disorder and alcohol dependence prior to December 10, 2019 was granted.,A higher rating of more than 30 percent for the same condition from December 10, 2019 was denied.

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

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding entitlement to VA medical care benefits. The Veteran and his representative will be provided with this document, after which they may appeal if they choose.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple joint pain and gastrointestinal disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability or undiagnosed illness related to his Persian Gulf service.,The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection as he has not provided objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability, including an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is not eligible for survivor pension benefits because her income exceeds the maximum annual pension limit.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right arm disability is related to service.

The Board granted a waiver of recovery of the overpayment of VA pension benefits as of October 12, 2021 due to the Veteran's health and financial hardship.

A 20 percent rating, but no higher, for residuals of left thumb laceration is granted effective October 10, 2019.,Effective October 10, 2019, a 20 percent rating, but no higher, for residuals of left thumb laceration is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, other than insomnia, finding that his symptoms are already contemplated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's symptoms and residuals have been confirmed by medical evidence, but a VA opinion is needed regarding the etiology of GBS.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition due to the untimely filing of his notice of disagreement with the January 2016 rating decision. The appeal was not timely filed as it occurred more than one year after the original time limit expired.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential service in the territorial sea of Vietnam, which could affect the cause of death claim. The pension claim is deferred until the cause of death issue is resolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left leg varicose veins and varicocele was reopened, and the Board found that a temporary total disability rating for convalescence related to the surgeries is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an unspecified respiratory condition has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's transverse myelitis. The examiner did not consider the possibility that vaccinations and herbicide exposure could have caused the condition.