Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia, which required a mesh repair in September 2006, is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence supports this finding.

The Veteran's lung disability is not presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides or asbestos during service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service is not considered to meet the requirements for eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and therefore, the request for transferred educational assistance benefits is denied.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is related to his history of tobacco and alcohol abuse, which in turn, have been shown to have resulted from his service-connected PTSD. The Board grants service connection for the cancer as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a hiatal hernia and ulcerative colitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination.

The Veteran's disability does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran is seeking educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill program. The case has been remanded due to incomplete personnel records and discharge information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip arthritis are not related to his active duty service, did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and are not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have chronic symptoms of arthritis in service or continuous symptoms after service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board determined that an overpayment of $1,549.35 in DEA benefits was validly created for the period from May 21 to August 13, 2007 due to a reduction in course load.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete or incorrect factual premises in the previous VA examination, and new evidence may affect the outcome of her service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination in Dumaguete City to determine if the appellant needs aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a foot disorder being incurred or aggravated during the appellant's service, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected herpes does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes, as his condition is manifested by less than 5 percent of the entire body or less than 5 percent of exposed areas affected with no more than topical therapy required.

The Veteran's service-connected right great toe disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 1, 2008. The rating reflects moderate impairment of the foot.

The Board found that the appellant does not currently have Reiter's syndrome and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is denied as there is no competent evidence linking his current disability to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for waiver of overpayment of $6,210.00 due to fault on his part in not informing VA of his divorce and found that repayment would not cause undue hardship.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right leg disorder, and left leg disorder have been denied as there is no competent evidence showing the presence of these conditions during her appeal period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for sinus tachycardia as being proximately due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.