Other conditions decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's travel reimbursement for Vocational Rehabilitation clinics should be discontinued as it is counterproductive to the therapy being provided and given current budgetary constraints. The Veteran was unable to provide an alternative means of transportation, leading to his inability to continue participation in the program.

The Veteran's service-connected atrial fibrillation of the heart is productive of permanent (chronic) atrial fibrillation with more than four episodes per year of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia documented by electrocardiogram, only controlled by way of prescription medications. The Veteran is therefore entitled to a 30 percent initial rating.

The Board finds that there is no current or prior diagnosis of Lyme disease, and thus the claim for service connection for the residuals of Lyme disease cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA and SSA records, as well as a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for VA home loan guaranty benefits as his service did not meet the eligibility requirements.

The Board has ordered the VA to verify the Veteran's current mailing address and obtain his private treatment records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA respiratory examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if Muscle Group XIX or other muscle groups were injured due to the right flank gunshot wound and to evaluate any impairment resulting from the gunshot wound to the right kidney, liver, or diaphragm.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant before a decision could be made.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability and that any such disability is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a respiratory disability is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for VA death benefits and nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to a lack of qualifying service in the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas. The appellant is not eligible for these benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The Board found that no prior formal or informal claim was submitted before June 19, 2006.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits is waived due to the Veteran being a fugitive felon during the period in question, and recovery would be against equity and good conscience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current pulmonary disability manifested by shortness of breath and restriction, as well as his gastrointestinal disability manifested by loose stools, abdominal pain, and fecal incontinence, are related to his service-connected disabilities and injuries sustained during military service. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been granted.

The VA Board found that the Veteran's postoperative residuals of a total hysterectomy, left salpingo oophorectomy, lysis of adhesions, ruptured left ovary and uterine fibroids are not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for non-service-connected pension benefits prior to August 10, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the September 2013 VA examination report, and a new addendum opinion is required.

The Veteran's vocal cord dysfunction was diagnosed during service and is considered to have started in service. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have recognized active military service as required to establish eligibility for FVEC Fund benefits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for herpes simplex. The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim is granted as his condition had its onset during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for arthritis/arthralgia and narcolepsy (claimed as a sleep disorder).