Other conditions decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria was denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of malaria in service and the separation examination did not show any findings related to malaria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for a skin disorder can be adjudicated. This includes obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA compensation examination to determine whether his current skin disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service not meeting the minimum required period of active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's recurrent herpes simplex type II did not have its onset during active military service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and consideration of his TDIU claim. The issues include increased ratings for cold injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus disability, characterized by pain and calluses on the feet, was rated at 10 percent prior to January 29, 2007. From that date, it has been rated at 30 percent due to marked tenderness under metatarsal heads.

The Veteran's cervicothoracic spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's eye disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for blepharitis with meibomians gland dysfunction and allergic conjunctivitis, effective June 4, 2011.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA compensation benefits and found that his character of discharge from service constituted a bar to VA benefits. The appeal is not about service connection, so no issues related to exposure or presumptions were considered.

The Veteran claims service connection for a right leg disability, which he alleges is related to an injury sustained in military service. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has granted an apportionment of 20 percent of the Veteran's VA benefit award for the support of his child in the appellant's custody.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of damage to the mandibular branch of the fifth cranial nerve, including left cheek and jaw numbness, was granted. The issue of a higher initial rating for irritable colon syndrome is also granted, with an effective date of September 21, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently suffers from endometriosis and a pelvic disorder, both of which are considered to be directly related to her military service. The claims have been granted.

The appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of establishing eligibility for death pension benefits due to her remarriage after the age of 57.

The Veteran claims service connection for residuals of a stroke that occurred during his period of active duty for training in June 1998. The Board finds the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination before making a decision.

The Veteran had no pending claims for VA benefits at the time of his death in April 1985, and there was no entitlement to benefits based on existing ratings or decisions. Therefore, accrued benefits are denied.

The Veteran requested the dismissal of his appeal regarding the validity of an overpayment of nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining emergency department records from Salem Hospital where the Veteran died. The claim will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The appellant is not entitled to death pension benefits as she has reached the age of 23 and does not meet the legal definition of a child for VA purposes.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge was a bar to VA benefits and health care due to his AWOL for over 180 days. The newly submitted evidence is considered cumulative or redundant, thus not raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.