Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 1, 2009, for the addition of a dependent child to his nonservice connected pension benefits was denied by the Board. The decision states that the appellant did not provide sufficient information about his child's income and net worth until December 2009, which is more than one year after he initially claimed the dependency.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to issues related to stress incontinence. The Veteran's service-connected stress incontinence requires the use of absorbent materials six to seven times per day since May 26, 2007.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic groin injury or head trauma in service, and the Veteran's current complaints are not related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of panic disorder with agoraphobia, finding that no formal or informal claim was filed prior to May 25, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bruxism warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective August 12, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected dextroscoliosis with kyphosis is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral chondromalacia patella or athletes foot/foot fungus, as there is no competent evidence showing current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's hammertoes, degenerative joint disease and hallux valgus of the right foot are currently rated at 30 percent since September 27, 1999.,The Veteran's hammertoes, degenerative joint disease and hallux valgus of the left foot are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's skin disability, presumed due to Agent Orange exposure during service in Vietnam, has not been diagnosed or confirmed by medical evidence. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse due to lack of a valid marriage under state law, despite her registered domestic partnership.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized private medical expenses incurred at White County Medical Center in March 2007 because the treatment did not meet the criteria for a medical emergency, and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 14, 1991 for the grant of service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia based on a claim filed at that time.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's left elbow disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service or any of his service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear status of the appellant as a veteran or a dependent of a veteran, and further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for the 2008 calendar year is granted, effective from August 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of cold injuries to his hands and feet have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has granted a waiver of the overpayment debt resulting from the overpayment of pension benefits, finding that the VA's fault in creating this debt outweighs any other considerations.