Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left foot, skin, and dental disorders, are not granted as the appeal is based on direct service connection rather than a presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria was denied in August 1996, and new evidence received since then has reopened the claim. However, there is no current diagnosis of a tropical disease, to include malaria and yellow fever, and thus, the claim remains denied.

The Board has requested a medical expert opinion and the appellant submitted additional evidence. The case is being remanded for readjudication with consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected pelvic adhesions and consideration of whether any rating decision prior to March 2008 should be revised on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) to assign an effective date prior to January 24, 2006, for the grant of service connection for a large intestine disorder.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for apportionment of her husband's disability compensation benefits, finding that she is not entitled to such benefits as her daughter was over 30 years old and not permanently incapable of self-support.

The Board found that the Veteran's left leg varicose veins did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as his symptoms were consistent with intermittent edema and aching/pain after prolonged standing or walking, which are already addressed by the current 20 percent rating. The right leg varicose veins claim was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a hip/thigh disability in service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that arthritis of the bilateral hips/thighs was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the termination of the Veteran's dependency allowance for V.K., effective April 30, 2004, is proper based on the finality of his divorce from V.K. as of April [redacted], 2004.

The Board has granted the adjustment of the award of improved pension benefits for the Veteran's 2008 medical expenses, which totaled $625.40.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund due to lack of qualifying service in the United States Armed Forces, as determined by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

The Veteran seeks service connection for pancreatitis, which he claims was caused by medication prescribed for his service-connected knee disabilities. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board determined that the character of the Appellant's service from November 1968 to June 1970 is a bar to VA benefits due to willful misconduct, and as such, he cannot receive VA benefits.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a current psychiatric disability may be related to the Veteran's active service, and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for accrued benefits and non-service-connected death pension benefits are denied as there was no pending claim at the time of her husband's death, and he did not have qualifying service.

The Board found that the Veteran's paralysis and cramping of the bilateral upper and lower extremities were not incurred in service or related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral thumb disorder, including CTS, is not related to his military service and the Board finds that there is no etiological relationship between any current thumb disorders and his active duty.

The Veteran asserts a lung disability related to service, including exposure to asbestos. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right Achilles tendon partial tear with fibrosis is not causally or etiologically related to active military service, including his in-service diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, and it is not caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected left Achilles tendonitis.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the definition of a fugitive felon and therefore, the debt created due to his status as a fugitive felon was invalid. As such, waiver of recovery is granted.