Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 19, 2019, for TDIU and DEA benefits are denied as there is no legal basis for an earlier date due to the lack of a formal claim before that time.

The Veteran's cellulitis has not covered more than 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas, and he did not require systemic therapy for a total duration of six weeks or more during the past year. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for metastatic insulinoma, finding that the Veteran's current condition is a direct result of his soldering work while in the military during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the recoupment of separation pay in the amount of $76,200.87 is remanded due to errors identified by the Board.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the contractual payment rate for home health services provided in January 2020 is subject to a specific administrative dispute resolution process that does not allow for appellate review by the Board.

The appeal seeking payment or reimbursement for the cost of medical services provided on May 3, 2020 by BJC Healthcare is dismissed as there is no account balance and thus no case or controversy remains.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bruxism was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore he is not eligible for nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claim for status post total abdominal hysterectomy with residual incontinence is granted as the gynecological symptoms that led to the surgery began during her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected diverticulitis is denied as the earliest effective date available is January 28, 2022, which is the date of receipt of his Intent to File.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver cyst disability was received within one year of the date he submitted an Intent to File a claim, which is considered his effective date. The Board determined that the correct effective date for this grant of service connection is November 9, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for left foot disorder, including hallux valgus with hammer toes and enthesopathy, should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ must schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any current left foot disorders.

The Veteran's service connection for leukemia was granted with an effective date of June 5, 2019, due to his exposure to herbicides at the perimeter of a Thai military base during his service in Thailand. The PACT Act expanded the presumption of in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral myasthenia gravis with right eye ptosis was denied in November 2009 due to lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred during or aggravated by service.,Claims for left eye disability, facial neurological disability, and urinary disability were also raised but not adjudicated as they occurred after the effective date of July 8, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's urinary dysfunction with frequency and nocturia, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Appellant's recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes, considering her continuous cohabitation and lack of knowledge about California's common law marriage laws.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right hip disabilities have been granted service connection with effective dates of April 29, 2019. The current ratings for limitation of extension and flexion are 20 percent each.

The Veteran's service-connected spoon nails (koilonychia) are currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.