Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided for the Veteran's chronic liver damage was inadequate and remanded to obtain a new opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his chronic liver damage, which he claims is related to his hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for leukoaraiosis and tremors due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinions. The Veteran's representative requested additional medical records, which were already provided.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed because the Appellant, who was the Veteran's surviving spouse and the claimant, died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's cause of death, laryngeal cancer, is found to be related to his exposure at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected left hand disabilities, including a fracture to the third finger and an injury to the fifth proximal interphalangeal joint, are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's income for the year 2016 exceeded the VA National Means Test threshold, and therefore he is not eligible for copay exemption in the VA healthcare system.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding the cause of death and exposure to toxins at Fort Leonard Wood. The examiner needs to provide a thorough opinion on whether service contributed to multiple myeloma, including exposure to contaminated waters.

The Veteran's death was ruled as natural and caused by hypoxic respiratory failure and Covid 19 viral pneumonia. The VA determined that these conditions did not have their onset in service, nor are they otherwise causally related to any disease or injury during his service.

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

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

The Veteran did not serve during a period of war, so he does not qualify for VA survivor's pension benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning and bases for its decision regarding malaria residuals, requiring a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right thumb disability is currently rated at a 10 percent evaluation for the entire period on appeal. The Board also granted entitlement to service connection for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's eligibility for participation in VA's PCAFC is remanded due to a lack of adequate medical opinion supporting the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for eligibility to participate in VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board will seek a new medical determination from the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT), considering all medical information of record, including lay evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's myelodysplastic syndrome is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition based on exposure to an herbicide agent during his time in Guam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the Veteran's PTSD disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke and its residuals are not related to his active duty service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the cause of death. The Veteran died from intoxication caused by medications prescribed for his service-connected conditions, but the adequacy and relevance of these opinions are under review.

The Board is requesting additional evidence from the appellant regarding expenses she paid on behalf of her deceased husband's last sickness, including assisted living fees and medical bills. The case will be remanded for further development.