Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has found that the veteran's pre-existing left eye disorder, diagnosed as subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane in 2002, was aggravated during his last period of active service from February to October 2003.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on February 9 and February 10, 2002 are denied as he did not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board found that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to establish the claim, and thus, did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident was granted, and he is now assigned a 100% evaluation effective August 6, 2003. His claims for increased evaluation of the CVA and for hearing loss and vertigo were denied.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 as a result of VA treatment is being remanded due to the need for additional records and proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left clavicle disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining recent treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran is competent to handle his VA benefits, resolving a reasonable doubt in favor of competency.

The appellant is not eligible for VA death benefits as she does not meet the eligibility criteria for a surviving child.

The VA determined that the appellant's deceased husband had no service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, the appellant is not eligible for death benefits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for balance dysfunction and remanded the case to obtain additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, Social Security Disability records, and arranging for a neurological examination.

The veteran's right thumb disability was manifested with limited range of motion, ankylosis and flexion deformity. The RO granted a 10 percent rating for the period from May 1, 2003 to March 29, 2005.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's current bilateral foot and heel disabilities, which were noted during his active duty service. The examiner will assess whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand disability and residuals of a testicle injury were denied. His initial compensable ratings for residuals of stress fractures of the right and left feet remain unchanged.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits due to willful and persistent misconduct, despite receiving an administrative counseling/warning letter.

The veteran's claim for an extension of his ending date for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 beyond March 22, 1998 is denied as there is no evidence that he was prevented from initiating or completing a chosen program of education due to a physical or mental disability.

The Board found that the veteran's VR&E program has been discontinued due to his unwillingness to consider other alternative objectives, and denied both issues of propriety of discontinuance and support for self-employment.

The veteran's private dental treatment in the amount of $682.90 was not authorized by VA and thus reimbursement is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a skull fracture and brain tumors, including pituitary tumors. The veteran's claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence linking her current conditions to service.