Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed alopecia areata was not causally or etiologically related to active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is challenging the validity of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the calculated amount of $22,645.00. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine whether the creation of this debt was proper and to calculate the correct amount.

The Veteran and the appellant were legally divorced, and the Veteran later married another woman. The appellant's status as a surviving spouse is not recognized for VA death benefits.

The Board has determined that the Appellant meets the criteria for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse, given her legal marriage at the time of his death and lack of intent to desert the marriage.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for gingivitis as new and material evidence was not received, despite additional VA outpatient treatment reports being submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine whether the Veteran's cause of death, including respiratory failure, pneumonia and sepsis, is related to his active duty service or another already service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of VA pension benefits in the amount of $18,318.00 due to fault on the part of the appellant and lack of undue financial hardship.

The appellant's father died before the enactment of the law authorizing payment from the FVEC, and thus does not meet the eligibility requirements for a one-time payment.

The appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA benefits due to a valid divorce prior to his death.

The Veteran died in February 2009 and there were no pending claims for VA benefits at the time of his death. Therefore, accrued benefits cannot be awarded as he had no due and unpaid benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not have service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, they are ineligible for compensation from the FVEC Fund.

The Veteran's service obligation for his attendance at West Point Military Academy is not considered active duty for purposes of Chapter 33 benefits, and he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for educational assistance under this chapter.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for antiphospholipid syndrome, which he claims is related to his active service and herbicide exposure. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed condition.

The Veteran is granted a waiver of recovery for the overpayment of $1,192.47 due to his status as a fugitive felon from September [redacted], 2006 to November [redacted], 2006.

The Board has granted a waiver of the recovery of an overpayment of VA educational assistance benefits in the amount of $3,000.00 due to undue financial hardship.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for a gastrointestinal disability and has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to warrant reopening. The Board also found that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability is related to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin condition did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to his period of active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, claimed as due to asbestos exposure, is being remanded for further development and an examination.