Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's upper back strain has been granted a 40 percent evaluation, while the other two conditions have not met the criteria for increased ratings.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for clarification of representation and issuance of an SOC regarding entitlement to a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's claim to reopen for service connection of a fungal infection of the feet was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The appellant's other than honorable discharge from his last period of service is a bar to VA benefits for that period.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for recurrent stasis ulcers of the left and right lower extremities was denied as the medical evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as there was no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's metastatic cancer of the tonsil and his military service.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's in-service shell fragment wounds with retained foreign bodies played a contributory role in producing or accelerating his untimely demise from liver cancer.

The appellant's discharge from service is considered to have been issued under dishonorable conditions, which acts as a bar to the receipt of VA benefits.

The appellant's claim for entitlement to VA benefits was denied as a matter of law because he does not have active service to establish himself as a veteran for VA purposes.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for entitlement to nonservice-connected disability pension benefits was denied because he did not meet the threshold/basic eligibility requirements for such benefits, as he did not serve during a period of war.

The veteran withdrew his appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for a stomach condition and ulcers.

The Veteran's income from a gift received in 2006 exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, leading to the discontinuation of his non-service-connected VA pension benefits for the period from October 1, 2006 to October 1, 2007.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits, as a service-connected disability did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death.

The appellant is not entitled to accrued benefits in excess of $847.00.

The Veteran's period of eligibility for educational assistance benefits expired on September 11, 2002.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prurigo nodularis, render him unable to maintain gainful employment.

The Board remands the claim for additional development of evidence, specifically to obtain outpatient treatment records from the VA Medical Center in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.

The Board granted service connection for pre-existing Tourette's syndrome, finding that it was aggravated during active service.

The appellant is not the last-named beneficiary of the Veteran's NSLI policy and is not entitled to the proceeds from such policy.