Other conditions decisions — 2013

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 and therefore is not eligible for payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

The Veteran's reported home care expenses were excluded from his countable income for the 2009 pension benefits calculation, resulting in a reduction of his monthly benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple myeloma is related to his exposure to herbicides during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's emergency room visit on February 2, 2010 was an appropriate response to his symptoms and thus eligible for reimbursement of unauthorized medical services.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back condition, which he claims was caused by an in-service automobile accident. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and seek a new opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records. The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is currently evaluated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for mood disorder prior to December 28, 2009, earlier effective dates for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits prior to December 28, 2009.

The Veteran's course of flight training, which was not approved for VA educational benefits, did not meet the requirements to be reimbursed under Chapter 30. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's postoperative residuals of a gastric resection for peptic ulcer disease and an anastomotic ulcer had its onset in service, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin conditions of the bilateral feet and left temple are not related to his active service, including exposure to toxic substances. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral defective hearing was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed residuals of cholecystectomy are not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and therefore, does not warrant service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting right hand disability did not worsen during his service and thus denied his claim for service connection.