Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's death was caused by multi-organ failure due to or as a result of squamous cell carcinoma, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, radiation pneumonitis, and severe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The Board finds service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted based on presumed exposure to an herbicide agent during his service in Vietnam.

The appellant withdrew her appeal regarding the cause of death determination, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip conditions have been rated as 10 percent, 40 percent, and 20 percent disabling for limitation of extension, flexion, and abduction respectively.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ameloblastoma. The VA needs to obtain an expert opinion from an oral surgeon or pathologist to determine if the ameloblastoma is related to service and/or caused by his service-connected esophageal stricture with achalasia.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate development in previous VA examinations, and further examination is required.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fracture of the left middle finger was denied. The evidence did not support establishment of a higher rating under other diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's residuals of pneumonia are not manifested by either a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) or by a ratio of FEV-1 to forced vital capacity (FVC) of 56 to 70 percent of that predicted. As such, the criteria for entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board dismissed the appeals as they are not about service connection and due to the Veteran's death, the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of nerve damage and stroke residuals for further development, including obtaining an examination to determine their etiology. The secondary service connection issues are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for neutropenia/leukopenia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current eye disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there was no current diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or other evidence of a heart disability resulting in functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's right foot disability. The issues of increased evaluation and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's blepharitis.

The Veteran's DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied as he did not meet the statutory duration requirements for a total disability rating at the time of his death.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of death under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded to allow for further investigation and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's death was not recognized as a surviving spouse, and there were no accrued benefits due at the time of his death. The Appellant's claim for both surviving spouse and accrued benefits is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of additional disabilities due to sutures retained longer than recommended time for his back cyst, and whether the hernia repair was unnecessary.

The Veteran's service-connected cerebrovascular ischemic stroke rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance since February 8, 2016. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance from that date.

The Board denied recognition of the Veteran's mother as a dependent parent due to her income exceeding $400 per month, which is sufficient for reasonable maintenance.

The Veteran's liver cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure to toxic substances during service.