Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for keloids on his scalp and chest is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current condition and his in-service diagnoses of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from Antelope Memorial Hospital. The Veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical expenses will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for atrial fibrillation. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's atrial fibrillation was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for continued dependency benefits for her son EDK after his 18th birthday was denied because the claim was received more than one year after EDK's 18th birthday, and no timely application was submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease and gouty arthritis of the right foot, finding that these conditions are related to active service. The claims for left and right knee disabilities have been reopened but not yet decided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's left foot hammertoes are related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for amputation of the left lower extremity to include as due to Factor V Leiden with vascular disease. The Veteran's current disability is found to be related to his service-connected hypertension, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment was denied because it was not filed within the required 180-day period following notification of the overpayment. The Board found that the March 24, 2007 letter containing the notice of indebtedness and instructions to request a waiver was sent to the Veteran's last known address in Tucson.

The Veteran died from nonservice-connected causes and was permanently cremated in July 2003. The Appellant's claim for nonservice-connected VA burial benefits was received by VA more than two years after the permanent cremation, which is outside of the prescribed filing deadline.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left eye disability cannot be granted as new and material evidence has been received, but the underlying claim is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's scalp and bilateral lower leg skin disabilities are not related to service, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to metastatic malignancy of the bronchus, which is presumed to have been incurred in active service based on exposure to herbicide agents during his temporary duty in Vietnam.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for cause of the soldier's death as new and material evidence was not received.,The Board also denied her claims for non-service connected disability pension benefits and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

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

The Veteran's request for educational assistance benefits is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria under Chapter 30 or 32 benefits due to his service not meeting the requirements.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied because the earliest possible effective date is November 2, 2010, when the claim was received.

The Veteran's request for tutorial assistance was denied because he was not pursuing a post-secondary program on at least half-time basis during the period in question.

The Veteran's overpayment of $457.78 was waived due to the lack of fault on her part and the hardship she would face if required to repay it.

The Veteran's active duty service does not meet the eligibility requirements for Chapter 30 MGIB benefits due to his initial period of active duty starting in January 1971, and he did not have qualifying reserve service during a specific time frame. As such, the claim is denied.