Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for his service-connected psychophysiological musculoskeletal reaction and dementia associated with alcoholism from June 1, 2007 to March 16, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a disability of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is related to his service-connected rheumatic heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for conjunctivitis of the right eye as secondary to a pre-existing condition (pterygium of the right eye).

The Board has vacated the previous decision and is granting service connection for both right little finger disability and right arm disorder with intermittent numbness.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for cellulitis of the bilateral lower extremities, finding it secondary to his service-connected left inguinal herniorrhaphy.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, manifested by nightmares and sleep disturbance, was incurred in service. The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of Parasomnia not otherwise specified (Parasomnia) and Dyssomnia, which are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of dependency benefits for adopted children, M.G. and R., is denied as he did not submit proof of adoption within one year of his September 2007 VA Form 21-686c and received notice of the Decree of Adoption in January 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of the Veteran's claimed exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides while stationed in Panama. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) prior to July 22, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, to include macular degeneration, is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left thigh, as well as his requests to reopen claims for defective vision and a right hand condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew appeals regarding earlier effective dates for certain awards.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on anatomical loss of one or both breasts is denied as the law does not allow for a retroactive award prior to the effective date of the liberalizing legislation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board denied service connection for forgetfulness, finding that it was a symptom of the already service-connected PTSD and not separate from it. The claim to reopen was also denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, conduct examinations for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and service-connected dental condition, and determine whether the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant, who is the Veteran's daughter and now deceased, was permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to mental illness. Therefore, she is recognized as a helpless child for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the appeal is not about service connection and instead pertains to payment or reimbursement for medical expenses. The Veteran's claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for psychotic disorder, not otherwise specified, is denied as a matter of law.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his 100 percent disability rating for service-connected psychotic disorder, not otherwise specified, is also denied as a matter of law.

The Board has ordered a paid and due audit to determine the correct dates for adding and removing the Appellant, her sons G.H. and D.H., from their DIC benefits award.