Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's gynecomastia is found to be a result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA healthcare providers in prescribing and monitoring the use of spironolactone.

The Veteran's claim for payment of non-VA emergency medical services provided to him between October 27, 2017 and November 5, 2017 is denied as he did not meet the statutory requirements for reimbursement under VA laws.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine the reimbursable amount for unauthorized non-VA medical treatment services rendered by the Veteran. The AOJ should obtain VA and private medical records, as well as insurance information.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse is found to be the proximate cause of his cancerous colon polyps. The Board grants service connection for this condition, effective from when the claim was filed. For TDIU prior to July 31, 2014, the Board finds that the Veteran cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities and thus grants TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge was not due to willful and persistent misconduct, thus allowing him to receive VA benefits despite his under Other Than Honorable (OTH) conditions discharge.

The Board has restored service connection for an unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, finding that the original grant of service connection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a stomach disability and prostate disability, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance due to ongoing development needs.

The Veteran's appeal for VA payment for a power mobility device has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to metastatic pancreatic cancer, finding no evidence linking any disability associated with the Veteran's death to his active service. The opinion from a VA examiner concluded that PTSD and major depressive disorder did not contribute to or aggravate the Veteran's pancreatic cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rectal polyps and adenomatous polyp are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied both direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left arm numbness, left elbow strain, and left hand numbness due to new evidence submitted. However, these claims are still remanded as further development is needed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for VR&E benefits, citing his current total disability rating and lack of interest in the program.

The Board denied service connection for a prostate disorder, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, chronic prostatitis, and high grade PIN, as the evidence did not show a nexus to service or service-connected left epididymitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development and referral of the case to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided that the termination of VA compensation benefits due to fugitive felon status was improper and has ordered further development to determine if the underlying offense for probation violation was a felony.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin rash, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and rejecting all lay statements. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have any chronicity of care or objective medical evidence to support his claim.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the adjustment of her disability compensation award based on drill pay, with full understanding of the consequences.

The Board dismissed the appeal for accrued benefits as requested by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected healed fracture, left third metatarsal with residual pain and swelling is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of the condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for right hand disabilities, including right index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger, and thumb disabilities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional VA treatment records from Shoals CBOC.