Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's spouse was previously awarded $2,000.00 in burial benefits due to service-connected conditions and no further compensation can be awarded as the maximum amount is already paid.

The Board has remanded the claims for RLE and LLE PVD as well as TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's treatment records from November 2018 to May 2019 need to be obtained.

The Veteran's heart disability, including congestive heart failure, supraventricular arrhythmia, and atrial fibrillation, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sickle cell disease, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's myalgia/myositis is found to have started during service and is therefore granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained prior to the September 2023 rating decision on appeal are inadequate and remands the claims for a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal for an effective date prior to March 1, 2019, for a TDIU in order to pursue it as part of an increased rating claim for PTSD. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hammer toes and bilateral shin splints, finding no current disability in either case.,Neither condition is linked to military service based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected right lower extremity varicose veins. The Veteran is denied a burial allowance in excess of $300, eligibility for an interment allowance, and reimbursement of transportation expenses.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it through his authorized representative.

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

The Veteran seeks recognition of H.L. as his child for the purpose of additional dependency compensation due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for further action, including obtaining neuropsychological consultation records and educational benefits information.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and cause of death due to potential errors in duty to assist, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's pancreatic cancer. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the cancer is related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's atrial fibrillation. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation had its onset in or is otherwise etiologically related to service, including his October 1986 treatment for chest pain and loss of consciousness.

The Veteran's glioblastoma multi-form of brain is attributed to his in-service exposure to extensive radiation from radar, and the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran submitted new and relevant evidence sufficient to warrant readjudication of the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for cholecystectomy, which was denied previously due to lack of receipt of new and relevant evidence. The appeal is granted in part.

The Veteran's burial allowance and transportation reimbursement have been fully awarded, leaving no room for additional benefits. The Veteran was not buried in a state cemetery, thus denying eligibility for a burial plot or interment allowance.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized emergency medical expenses incurred at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital from September 10, 2018 was dismissed because the Veteran did not timely file a VA Form 10182 and no extension request was submitted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for higher ratings on the right forearm/elbow disability, Group VII muscle strain, and Group VIII muscle strain.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of cold injury residuals and shin disorders due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development, including VA examinations.