Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for esophageal adenocarcinoma and soft tissue sarcoma, both claimed as resulting from herbicide agent exposure during active service in Vietnam. The Veteran was not provided a VA examination to determine the relationship between his conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not competent to manage her VA benefits, including disbursement of funds. The decision is based on medical evidence indicating she lacks the mental capacity to handle financial matters.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and will need to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's osteomyelitis, including considering herbicide exposure and in-service foot issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions with an effective date of March 11, 2021. The Veteran's symptoms were reported prior to this date and he is competent and credible in his assertions.

The Veteran's eligibility for benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is remanded due to a lack of legally adequate notification. The Board also finds the CEAT medical review inadequate and requires a legally adequate decision.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is found to be less likely than not the cause of his diagnosed cognitive disorder. However, a remand is necessary as the VA examiner did not address whether the diabetes mellitus aggravated the cognitive disorder beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal and left pinky finger disorders are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran no longer meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left foot, and thus the discontinuance was proper. The same applies to automobile and adaptive equipment and specially adapted housing eligibility.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their passing away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal before a decision was made.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant's claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided to the Veteran on December 4, 2019, was effectively granted due to authorization from VA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot ingrown toenails was denied because the evidence did not show a link between the current disability and service. The claim for service connection for colon cancer is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). The decision is remanded due to inadequate notification and a legally insufficient medical determination.

The Veteran's dental condition claim is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claim will be referred for initial treatment consideration and a new VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) should be remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions on whether the Veteran's current gastritis and duodenitis are related to service, including possible duodenal ulcer in service.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot ingrown toenail and left foot ingrown toenail. The appeal regarding urinary tract disability (stress incontinence with urinary frequency) is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's ambulance expenses incurred on November 2, 2022 are granted as the treatment was for an emergency and a VA facility was not feasibly available.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding service connection for atrial fibrillation, which is secondary to hypothyroidism.