Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic actinic damage was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is April 7, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded due to his failure to appear at a previously scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case is now being returned for scheduling another hearing.

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 U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and therefore does not meet the eligibility criteria for the one-time payment from the FVEC fund.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to lack of service in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for residuals of a jaw injury, finding that there is credible evidence of an in-service injury and current disability.

The Board found that the appellant did not continuously cohabitate with the Veteran from their marriage until his death, and thus could not be recognized as his surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes.

The Board is requesting a new examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertensive vascular disease is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and to assign any appropriate rating.

The Board has determined that additional medical information is needed to resolve the claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, as well as the claim for an aid and attendance allowance for the Veteran's spouse. The RO will obtain these records and arrange for a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current obstructive lung disease is not related to his service, including exposure to asbestos. The VA examiner concluded that it is less than a 50% probability that the asbestos exposure contributed to his COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and eligibility for VA outpatient dental treatment was denied as she did not have a compensable service-connected dental condition, and her claims were based on the residuals of an infected tooth that occurred before deployment.

The Veteran, who served in the Navy from April 1946 to January 1948, is not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or grave marker because he died prior to November 1, 1990.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the February 2011 remand directive and that it may not proceed with a decision at this time. The case is REMANDED for further evidentiary development of the issue on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have additional disability, including asteroid hyalosis, as a result of right eye cataract surgery in May 1990 at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues and the need for verification of service. The appellant's claims for hearing loss and fibroid tumors are referred back to the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's histoplasmosis of the left eye is likely due to environmental exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's claimed coccyx fracture, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's bilateral calcaneal fracture residuals are no more than moderately disabling and do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further proceedings, including a VA examination and consideration of whether an extra-schedular evaluation is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a testicle disability and for increased ratings for his schizoaffective disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or showing their severity during the relevant periods.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability to tooth #5 as the result of or lack of VA outpatient treatment in August 2004 and thereafter, finding that there was no evidence of negligence or fault on VA's part.