Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his left leg disability, were denied by the Board. The evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for these conditions during the period on appeal through August 31, 2008.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, which the Board found may be related to service exposure to benzene. Service connection for this condition is granted due to direct evidence linking it to service.

New and material evidence has been received to reopen a final disallowed claim for service connection for a digestive disorder, but the issue of service connection remains undecided due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's joint pain issues have also not been resolved as there are no clear etiological determinations provided by VA examiners.,The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder began during his active military service and is related to it, thus granting service connection.

The appeal is being remanded due to the appellant's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be processed as though the hearing request had been withdrawn.

The Veteran's death was caused by an untreatable urinary tract infection, which is related to his service-connected left urethral calculus. The appellant is granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death but denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder, specifically pre-patellar bursitis, was incurred during active military service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed skin disorders, as well as the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, claimed as due to ionizing radiation exposure during military service, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 was established in August 1996. The appellant, the Veteran's spouse, filed her initial claim for education benefits in December 2008 after the delimiting date of August 2006. The case is being remanded to allow the Regional Office to review additional medical evidence submitted by the appellant's accredited representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dry eye and photophobia are related to service, including his deployment in Iraq.

The Board has reopened the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits, but denied the claim as the appellant does not meet the criteria for surviving spouse status.

The Veteran's claim for VA Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits was denied because his creditable service did not meet the required 30 days of continuous active duty service under 38 C.F.R. § 21.9520(b). The Board finds that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's claim, including obtaining his service personnel records and a copy of any relevant VA Policy Advisory.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for payment of dependents' educational assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, prior to February 8, 2010. The decision states that the appellant did not apply for benefits before February 8, 2011 and that VA had provided her with incorrect information which she relied on.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a chronic gynecologic disorder, finding that her symptoms are related to her military service and resolving any doubt in her favor.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including chronic scleroderma, pulmonary disorder, connective tissue disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and granulomatous disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, heart palpitations, and lymphomas were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Heberden's node of the right middle finger was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and is not proximately due to or caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to appear at a hearing before a member of the Board. The claim is not about service connection, but rather whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen an existing claim.