Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current skin disorders to exposure during service or events related to service.

The Board has determined that an effective date of July 13, 1992 is warranted for the grant of service connection for dizziness and disequilibrium (secondary to service-connected otitis media and hearing loss).

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease is being denied.

The VA denied an initial compensable evaluation for pituitary microadenoma, finding that the condition was well-controlled with medication and did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran knowingly signed a false affidavit in support of another individual's claim for VA benefits, leading to a forfeiture of his rights under 38 U.S.C.A. § 6103(a).

The Board found that the appellant's claim for accrued benefits was not timely filed and denied it.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right ankle disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for weakness, loss of concentration, a skin rash, sinus arrhythmia, and hot and cold sensitivity, all to include as secondary to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at December 29, 2000.

The veteran's claim is being remanded to address whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the July 1986 administrative determination that his October 1985 injury was due to his own willful misconduct, as well as whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a 1986 administrative determination of misconduct.

The VA has confirmed and continued a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's abdominal wall defect, status post right inguinal hernia repair. The current rating reflects moderately severe impairment of Muscle Group XIX.

The veteran's death was in the line of duty during World War II, and the appellant is entitled to DIC benefits as a surviving spouse.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits due to his AWOL status and other than honorable conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA death benefits as her late husband did not have qualifying military service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to a lack of evidence linking emphysema, which caused his death, to his period of service.

The Board determined that the appellant's deceased spouse did not have qualifying service for her to receive nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and ensuring compliance with VCAA notification requirements.

The appellant's annualized countable income for improved pension purposes is below the legal limit of $9,556 as of July 1, 2002. Therefore, basic eligibility to receive improved pension benefits with respect to countable income is established.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA treatment in July 2002 for a staphylococcus infection of the right lower extremity has been denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's spouse had no recognized military service with the United States Armed Forces, and therefore does not qualify as a veteran for VA benefits.

The veteran's son, who is the appellant, does not qualify for VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35 as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his age at the time of the effective date of the permanent and total disability rating.