Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for laryngomalacia and hiatal hernia, as well as functional abdominal pain syndrome, are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for dizziness and chest pains due to conflicting evidence in the record. The Veteran is directed to provide any outstanding VA or private treatment records, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if she has a current disability manifested by these conditions and whether they are related to her service-connected delusional disorder.

The Board has determined that there are issues related to the validity of overpayment and entitlement to a waiver of recovery of education benefits under Chapters 1606 and 1607 of Title 10 of the United States Code, MGIB-SR. These matters have been remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatic steatosis and neurocardiogenic syncope due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their causes or aggravations by service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for chest pain, finding that new and material evidence supports a current disability related to service. The Board also found that there is at least equipoise of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's chest pain had its onset in service.

The Board denied reimbursement for medical expenses incurred from August 24 to August 31, 2013 at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center due to the remaining balance being a Medicare copayment and not covered by VA under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma and its relation to in-service sun exposure and herbicide exposure. The case will be reviewed by an Oncologist or Dermatologist for a new opinion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a liver disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine the etiology of any diagnosed liver disorder, including hepatic adenoma.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The low back disability was rated at 40 percent, and the left leg radiculopathy was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cellulitis of the face due to in-service wisdom teeth extraction is denied as there is no current diagnosis of cellulitis of the face or a similar condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and requests for additional records. The Veteran's left elbow disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and Grover's disease, as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. The VA medical opinions provided were against the Veteran's contention that his skin disorders began in-service or due to herbicide exposure.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of pernicious anemia and vitamin deficiency during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bladder disorder, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between her military service and any diagnosed condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal includes both issues of validity and waiver of an overpayment of VA pension benefits. The case is being remanded to provide a paid and due audit, issue a SOC addressing the validity of the debt, and readjudicate the waiver issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current symptoms are related to her in-service Guillain-Barre syndrome diagnosis. A VA examination is needed to clarify if she has any residual effects of Guillain-Barre syndrome that cause functional impairment.

The Veteran's nerve damage status post extraction of tooth #17 is rated at 30 percent, but no more, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives and further development is necessary for the claims of payment or reimbursement for unauthorized private medical treatment incurred on January 8, 2004, and July 13, 2004. The Veteran's electronic file was incomplete, and VA needs to reconstruct the record and ensure all necessary actions are taken as per previous remand directives.