Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's cause of death, multiple myeloma, is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service. Service connection for the cause of death has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right and left foot conditions has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal in February 2024.

The Veteran's death precludes initial eligibility for PCAFC benefits, and the appeal is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected pectus excavatum is being remanded due to the need for additional records and the duty to assist.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's PCAFC benefits, as the December 2023 CEAT review was conclusory and unexplained.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in the case and has ordered a VA examination to be conducted for the Veteran's service-connected left hip flexion disability.

The Board has determined that further action is necessary to correct duty to assist errors prior to deciding the propriety of suspending DIC benefits payments, effective November 1, 2020. The appellant's marital status needs clarification and evidence must be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pancreatic cancer is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The appeal was dismissed because the expenses for non-VA medical services provided on September 22, 2020, were approved by VA.

The Veteran's intercostal neuralgia, status post Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum with muscle group XIX and XXI involvement, is currently rated as a noncompensable rating prior to January 8, 2018, and 10 percent thereafter. The Board finds that it constituted pre-decisional duty to assist error for the RO to make a decision on the claim without first remanding the claim for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg were evaluated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board found that this evaluation was appropriate based on the lack of findings related to persistent edema, stasis pigmentation or eczema, with or without intermittent ulceration.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no effective date for increased compensation for dependency benefits is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected chest pain, palpitations, and bradycardia have been granted as a result of the medical evidence showing functional impairment with treatment and diagnosis since service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's diverticulitis is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking reimbursement for travel expenses incurred on October 5, 2023. The VA denied the claim because the Veteran did not attend his cardiology appointment. The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing relevant VA community care treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for cause of death, DIC benefits, and accrued benefits as they have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure of the AOJ to conduct an investigation or follow the order of preference for appointing a fiduciary, and to associate missing documents.

The appeal for apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits to the Appellant for J.N.B. is being remanded due to procedural issues.