Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for lacerations to his fingers on June 29, 2014 are granted as the treatment was rendered in an emergency situation and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

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

The Board has remanded the claim for extraschedular consideration due to new service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is no longer in remission and has developed complications, including acute myeloid leukemia. The claim for a compensable rating and TIDU rating are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right eye condition, including cataracts and dry eye syndrome, is not related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease causing the current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gynecological condition has been reopened. The case is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the relationship between her conditions and service, including toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during service, which could impact his cause of death claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information regarding payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Florida Hospital on July 1, 2014. The AOJ must obtain relevant explanations of benefits and payments from the Veteran, Florida Hospital, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a right elbow disability is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy is denied as the condition was not incurred or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to a service-connected disability. The claim for an increased rating for erectile dysfunction remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center from February 1, 2015, to February 8, 2015, was denied because he did not receive care within the VA system during the previous 24 months.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's leukemia is a chronic B-cell leukemia and to seek a VA medical opinion on the cause of his myelodysplastic syndrome, including AML.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Board has decided that the change in the Veteran's means test eligibility category from copay exempt to copay required for income year 2017 was improper and has remanded the matter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-hand joint disorder, diagnosed as strain of the left hand metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints is granted. The Board has also remanded issues regarding higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and right knee PFPS, as well as entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claim but has not decided on the merits of service connection for residuals of a right-hand injury as it is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguities in the nature and progression of the Veteran's kidney diseases, as well as the need for further clarification on whether his current kidney disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's estranged spouse has requested an apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits. The Board finds that full compliance with contested claims procedures is necessary and a remand is required to ensure proper handling of this matter.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left leg disabilities, both diagnosed as venous stasis and edema, which are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.