Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's request for service connection for a latex allergy is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim regarding the revocation of the forfeiture of VA benefits, which was originally denied in March 2005. The appellant's application for reopening her claim was filed in January 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected actinic keratosis and residuals of multiple squamous cell carcinomas have been granted increased ratings, with the actinic keratosis receiving a 10 percent rating and the squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip receiving a 30 percent rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's multiple myeloma is causally related to her active service, and grants service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, pelvis/groin disorder, back disorder, and right shoulder disorder are not secondary to her service-connected multiple myeloma.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for catarrhal conjunctivitis and Eales disease, left eye with secondary retinitis proliferans and retinal tears were denied as there is no current evidence of active or residual conjunctivitis. The Veteran's combined rating for his left eye disabilities could not be increased due to the presence of a service-connected eye.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility from October 21, 2005 to October 26, 2005 is being remanded due to incomplete documentation and unclear reasons for denial.

The appellant is not eligible for DIC benefits as the remarried widow of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye disorder, claimed as bad eyesight, is not service-connected because it pre-existed service and there is no evidence of any increase in severity during active military service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the decedent's cause of death to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected heloma molle, interspace between left fourth and fifth toes warrants a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a request for a Travel Board hearing. The appellant's claim of service connection for cause of death is pending.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses from May 6, 2006 to May 17, 2006 was denied as he was stable and could have been transferred to a VA facility in Wichita.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at S.J. Hospital is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding whether a VA facility was capable of accepting his transfer and providing necessary treatment on May 4, 2006.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of overpayment of Chapter 35 Dependents' Education Benefits, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected varicocele/epididymitis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied. The Board found that the earliest date on which entitlement arose is June 7, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of post traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no evidence meeting the criteria for such prior to July 1, 2002.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed to determine if it was caused by his military service, and the claim will be reconsidered with consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome is rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.