Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board found that the discontinuance of VR&E benefits for a drug and alcohol abuse counselor program was proper due to the Veteran's failure to maintain satisfactory conduct and cooperation, despite reasonable counseling efforts.

The Board found that arthritis in multiple joints is not related to service and is not secondary to service-connected rheumatic heart disease, and may not be presumed to be related to service.

The Board found that a dental disorder for VA compensation purposes was not shown by the evidence of record, and a blurred vision disability for VA compensation purposes was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the claimant was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect as of his 18th birthday, and thus denied recognition as a helpless child.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from St. Mary's Medical Center in Walla Wall, Washington and any other relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to an injury to his urethra caused by a catheter is being remanded for further development, including scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination at the Columbia VAMC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lipomas, finding no evidence of a current disability and noting that his claims were presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The earlier effective date claims related to lipomas are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed chronic disability of the breasts, and therefore, service connection for bilateral mastalgia is denied.

The Veteran's claim for dependency benefits for his spouse and stepson J. was granted effective from May 10, 2003.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed mitral valve prolapse was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Appellant does not meet the requirements to be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes, and thus her claim is denied.

The Veteran's left fibula disability has not been shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left hand condition or any other claimed conditions, and thus the Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and for obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal for entitlement to a TDIU rating, and as such, the appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of left hip degenerative joint disease was denied. The claim to reopen a previously denied right hip disability was also denied, and the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was not addressed as it is not related to service.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility to receive a transfer of educational benefits under Chapter 33, United States Code because the service department did not approve a request by the Veteran for a transfer of educational benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ingrown toenail was denied. The claims for increased rating and effective date for the lumbar spine disability, as well as new and material evidence for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder were all denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as her service with the recognized guerrilla forces does not qualify her for such benefits.