Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, finding that there is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between her current condition and in-service bronchitis.

The appellant is not eligible for VA benefits as a surviving spouse of the veteran due to her marriage being more than 15 years after his separation from active service, and she was not married for one year prior to the veteran's death.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, amyloidosis, is not service-connected due to lack of a positive association with herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The RO granted service connection for Hodgkin's disease and abdominal scars, residuals of a laparotomy and ventral hernia repairs, but did not assign any compensable ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increase in the basic monthly educational assistance (kicker) under the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) is granted.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the veteran did not meet the eligibility requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation and granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD. The other issues were not addressed due to the remand.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection and DIC, requiring additional development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the appellant with VCAA-compliant notice.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not eligible for recognition as a surviving spouse for VA compensation purposes due to lack of valid marriage and other eligibility criteria.

The Board denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses because the treatment was not rendered in response to an emergency and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The Board has received a request for withdrawal of the veteran's appeal regarding his sinus disability claim, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for atypical squamous metaplasia (nasal sinus disease) due to Agent Orange exposure and tobacco use, finding no evidence of such conditions during service or within a year of service.

The appellant's case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The appeal will not be decided until this hearing takes place.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have interstitial pulmonary fibrosis or a solitary pulmonary nodule as a result of his in-service right traumatic pneumothorax and thoracotomy. The VA also found no evidence of hypertension within one year post-discharge.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected winged scapula, long thoracic nerve injury, right, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to incomplete examination reports and need for further clarification of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure in obtaining VA records and will be reconsidered.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of nonservice-connected death pension benefits, finding that the earliest document in the claims file that may be accepted as a claim filed with VA was received on April 11, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's death from interstitial pulmonary fibrosis was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.