Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral skin rash of the feet, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing keratoconus of the left eye did not increase in severity during service beyond its natural progression, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran has current elbow or left thumb disabilities related to in-service injuries.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound, left lower extremity, most closely approximated a wound that healed with good functional results and showed no impairment of function or retained metallic fragments. The criteria for a compensable disability rating were not met.

The Veteran's skin disorder of pityriasis rosea was initially rated as noncompensable from April 19, 2008 through February 1, 2012. Since February 2, 2012, the rating has been increased to 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right epididymitis only manifested by pain while lifting, walking, sitting in certain positions, and during sexual activity without complete atrophy of both testes. As a result, the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of myocardial infarction or its residuals, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye disability did not begin during service and is not related to any incident of service, including a 1984 corneal abrasion. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress, including diarrhea, align with a qualifying chronic disability manifested by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn's disease. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's compensation was reduced to the 10 percent level for a period of incarceration from February 18, 2006, to August 17, 2006. The appellant and her two children are now entitled to an apportionment based on individual need.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA eye examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral keratoconus existed prior to service, whether it worsened during service, and if so, whether such worsening was clearly and unmistakably due to natural progression or service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including an audit of the appellant's compensation benefits account and a determination on whether the overpayment was validly created. The Committee on Waivers and Compromises will then readjudicate the waiver request with specific considerations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic carcinoma, which developed more than one year after his discharge from service and is not etiologically related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the appellant is the Veteran's child and grants her recognition as a child for purposes of receiving Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The VA is remanding the case for additional development regarding burial benefits, including a plot or interment allowance. The appellant needs to provide evidence showing whether the burial expenses have been paid and who incurred those costs.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete documentation in the claims file. Specifically, there are outstanding documents related to the overpayment of disability pension benefits and a November 2008 decision regarding waiver of indebtedness that have not been associated with the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and readjudication due to insufficient information regarding the appellant's current financial status and the progress of recovery efforts.

The Veteran's claims for restoration of a 30 percent rating and resultant combined 50 percent rating, as well as his claim for higher ratings for dysthymic disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund due to lack of verified service in the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has determined that the offset of the appellant's Survival Benefits Plan (SBP) payments against her retroactive Dependent's and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments is valid, as per VA regulations. The claim is denied.