Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's failure to report for a hearing and his absence without good cause. The appeal is related to an extension of a temporary total disability rating based on convalescent purposes following surgery for service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's right epididymitis is remanded due to the lack of updated treatment records and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for residuals of left knee injury is denied as the evidence does not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a 100% combined rating since March 28, 2017. As such, there are no remaining questions of law or fact to be decided regarding TDIU during this period and the issue is therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's service aboard the U.S.S. William H. Standley is considered to be within Vietnam waters, and he has been granted presumptive service connection for transient ischemic attacks due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. However, further development is needed as the Veteran has not been examined for his current symptoms of transient ischemic attacks or his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty in attributing symptoms of fainting spells and vasovagal episodes of syncope to the service-connected condition. The Veteran's June 2016 examiner diagnosed psychomotor epilepsy, but his November 2019 examination focused on paralysis of the tenth cranial nerve.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as Crohn's colitis) is granted. Service connection for the gastrointestinal disability is also granted, with the condition being secondary to PTSD. The Board has found that there are new and material evidence supporting this claim. However, both issues of rating PTSD and determining TDIU remain pending due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for a new examination.

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 30 percent for right eye retinal detachment, finding that the Veteran's visual acuity in his left eye is not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Grant Regional Health Center from January 15, 2018 to January 17, 2018 was denied as VA facilities were feasibly available and the Veteran chose to stay at GRHC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current eye conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss caused any additional medically discernible functional impairment of his neurosyphilis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for disability of the right first toe and second toe, finding no evidence of amputation or partial amputation of these toes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete processing and review of the claim for payment of medical expenses. The AOJ must correct these errors by reviewing the appellant's claim, including by a Customer Service Specialist if appropriate.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST tumors) are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service.,The Veteran's anemia is etiologically related to his now service-connected GIST.

The Board has denied service connection for gonorrhea and remanded the issue of service connection for herpes simplex due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, including as due to asbestos exposure, is being remanded for further evaluation. The Board finds the previous VA examination inadequate and requires an addendum opinion from the August 2019 examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional error in calculating the debt resulting from concurrent receipt of VA benefits and military pay during FY 2018. The Veteran's drill days were incorrectly counted as 360, but are now verified to be 48.

The Veteran's appeal concerning payment for non-VA medical services provided from March 16, 2020 to March 30, 2020 is dismissed as there was no decision for review.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted in September 2021 with an effective date of May 27, 2014. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit has been allowed.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it does not have jurisdiction to review the claim for payment of medical services provided by Kaerbears Healthcare.