Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma of the back and an initial increased rating for coronary artery disease. The Veteran's current skin disorder is not considered to be related to his military service, while his heart condition continues to require further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus, a condition previously diagnosed as pre-existing but aggravated by service, meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA medical opinion is necessary to properly adjudicate the claim for service connection for cause of death. The Veteran died in April 2011 and his death certificate indicated that the immediate causes were cardiopulmonary arrest and gastric cancer.

The Veteran's annual income prior to May 1, 2010 exceeded the maximum allowable amount for payment of nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for non-service-connected burial benefits. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service from June 5, 2002 to December 3, 2007 is a bar to VA benefits due to dishonorable discharge resulting from conviction by court-martial.

The Veteran's death is contested, and a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if his esophageal cancer was related to service-connected disabilities or herbicide exposure.

The appeal is being remanded due to missing correspondence and potential privacy violations. The appellant needs to be provided with a correct statement of the case, ensuring all dates and references are accurate.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected vitiligo has been granted at a maximum of 10 percent, which is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 7823. The appeal was not about service connection but rather about the appropriate disability evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current eye disability, including dry eye syndrome and superficial punctate, is causally related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Pension Management Center to request a Medical Expense Report from the Appellant for medical expenses paid in 2011, as part of the remand process due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her service connection claim and her total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination and readjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran has ever had dementia or any other cognitive disorder resulting in memory impairment during the appeal period. The examiner is also asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are due to military service or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's election for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits was not irrevocable, and his appeal is granted.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking the cause of death to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's additional disabilities were not caused or aggravated by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault by VA, or by an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and whether it is related to his service. The claim for service connection will be denied until such time as a competent medical opinion can be provided.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his bronchogenic carcinoma and chronic obstructive lung disease did not have their onset during service or for many years thereafter and were not otherwise related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a lack of evidence in the claims file regarding her treatment and subsequent complications.