Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board found that the appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA death benefits purposes due to conflicting evidence and lack of holding out as a married couple.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not have qualifying service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, they are not eligible for benefits from the FVEC Fund.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not have service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and therefore is not eligible for benefits under the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on November 17, 2009 are granted as the services were rendered in an emergency situation and treatment was not feasible at a VA facility.

The Board has granted service connection for costochondritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is as likely as not related to his in-service complaints of chest pain. The claim for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has ordered the VA to complete further development regarding the creation of the Veteran's overpayment debt and its calculation. The case is now remanded for a thorough review, including obtaining records from Social Security and the Veterans Hospital Administration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an expert opinion regarding the etiology of any current right hand disability and its relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral cataracts, finding that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, caused his current eye condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing stomach disorder (duodenal ulcer disease) was aggravated by his active service, and therefore grants service connection for a stomach disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication of the issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU, and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service connection claim for conjunctivitis is granted as the evidence shows recurrent episodes of conjunctivitis in service and post-service, with a showing of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's late-onset testicular cancer is being reviewed for possible service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Additional evidence, including an examination and medical nexus opinion, is needed to determine if the condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II does not cause or aggravate his claimed bilateral hip disorder. The Board also found that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for Wegener's granulomatosis and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to link his current condition to exposure to nuclear weapons maintenance work during active service.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a fracture of the left tibia was denied as there is no evidence of any current disability related to this condition during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran was not a fugitive felon for VA purposes from February [redacted], 2008, to August [redacted], 2008 and therefore the termination of his compensation payments during this period was improper.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.