Other conditions decisions — 2004

The appellant's father does not have verified active military service with the U.S. Armed Forces, and therefore is not considered a 'veteran' for purposes of receiving VA benefits.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from service was under other than honorable conditions due to a conviction of rape, and thus his service is considered to have been issued under dishonorable conditions. As such, benefits are not payable.

The Board found that the overpayment of educational assistance benefits awarded to the veteran was not properly created, and thus granted her appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for retroactive induction date prior to December 1, 1994 for Vocational Rehabilitation Training benefits under Chapter 15 due to a period of extended evaluation being authorized to determine the reasonable feasibility of his vocational goal.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have 'veteran' status for the purposes of determining whether service connection is warranted for bilateral shin splints and arthritis of the feet. Therefore, the claims are denied.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a decision based on clear and unmistakable error because there was no final decision to review.

The Board found that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the right thumb was not incurred or aggravated during his active military service and is not secondary to a service-connected disability. As such, he is denied service connection for residuals of a right thumb injury.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for service-connected pelvic inflammatory disease, finding that the condition does not require continuous treatment.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The appellant will be notified of the date and time of the hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected residuals of a left inguinal hernia, finding that there were no current residuals or findings of an inguinal hernia on the left side.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed hypoglycemia was not present during active service and is not caused or made worse by his service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia.

The Board granted a 30 percent combined rating for muscle injuries due to shell fragment wounds of the left forearm.

The Board has determined that the proper ending date for the veteran's eligibility for Chapter 30 educational benefits is June 1, 2004.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for damage to the neck and larynx as a result of VA cervical spine surgery performed in April 1994, but his appeal was remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and extent of any additional disability associated with the surgery.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral foot disorder is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of reactive airway disease is related to his service, specifically exposure to gas during basic training. The Board found in favor of the veteran and granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the right leg are currently rated at 20 percent, and his claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left ulnar nerve neuritis does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as it is currently rated at 30 percent. The condition does not result in complete paralysis of the minor upper extremity.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and rating consideration due to the need for clarification of his service-connected left knee disabilities.