Other conditions decisions — 2024

The appeal for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided on April 15, 2019 is dismissed because the claimant (Convergent) did not provide the underlying medical services.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelofibrosis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of right breast carcinoma status-post modified radical mastectomy with bilateral breast reconstruction are granted a 50% evaluation, but no higher. The compensable evaluation for her bilateral breast scars is denied.

The Veteran's authorized representative withdrew the appeal regarding the removal of his spouse from his monthly benefit payment, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary arteriosclerosis but denied service connection for hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of esophageal cancer has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The appeals for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided by the appellant from July 24, 2020, to July 31, 2020, and from August 18, 2020, to August 25, 2020, are dismissed as they have already been approved.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will consider whether the Veteran's lung condition is related to service exposure to burn pits in Bosnia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral elbow tendinitis are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 10 percent for TMJ with bruxism was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limited motion or functional loss.

The Veteran's appeal was reinstated due to an untimely filing of the substantive appeal, which was attributed to extraordinary circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board found that the Veteran exercised due diligence in submitting the appeal despite health risks.

Your appeal for payment of medical services provided on December 29, 2020, has been resolved by an administrative action. The claim was approved in full and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's dental or oral condition, specifically TMJ disorder. The AOJ will need to obtain additional medical opinions to address these issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for payment of non-VA medical services provided on October 11, 2020 and from October 26, 2020 to October 27, 2020 as these claims were resolved by administrative action.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic suppurative otitis media (ear infections) due to the Veteran's in-service treatment and current diagnosis, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's skin disorder covered more than 40 percent of his total body area and exposed areas from September 15, 2016, to February 5, 2019. The Board granted a rating of 60 percent disabled for this period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of a fracture to the base of his left thumb was granted, and he is now receiving a 20% disability rating. For his thoracic spine disability, he received increased ratings from August 4, 2013 to August 4, 2014 (40%), and since then (since August 4, 2013) the highest rating of 40% was granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective from August 4, 2013.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits was waived due to undue hardship caused by his financial situation and inability to afford basic necessities.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the criteria for DIC under 38 USC § 1318 were not met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and a gynecological disorder, finding that there is no current disability or evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.