Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disorder was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current condition. The Board found that the Veteran has currently diagnosed presbyopia, but not any other left eye disability.

The appellant is not entitled to accrued benefits as the Veteran's child or his widow, and her claim for reimbursement of expenses from the Veteran's last sickness and burial is denied due to lack of legal merit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophageal cancer was related to his nicotine dependence, which started during military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of left breast surgery and recurrent abscesses, infections, cellulitis, and a scar are service-connected. The claim for residuals of removal of ovarian cysts is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of service, including exposure to herbicides. The most probative evidence did not associate the Veteran's glioblastoma with his service-connected prostate cancer residuals and there is no competent evidence of a glioblastoma within the year following the Veteran's discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease involving the right and left upper extremities is rated at 10 percent each, effective from August 2, 2011.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred in March 2014 for groin pain resulting from an inguinal hernia were not authorized by VA and no prior authorization was obtained. The services provided were non-emergent, and VA facilities were available at the time of treatment.

The Veteran's sacroiliac joint disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 25, 2014 and increased to 20 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence did not support higher ratings for either period.

The Board finds that the debt in the amount of $28,286.00 for overpayment of VA nonservice-connected pension benefits was not validly created due to administrative error by the AOJ and grants the appeal.

The Board has granted the Appellant's claim for a Government-furnished memorial headstone or grave marker.

The Veteran's prostate disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for glioblastoma multiforme, and the claim is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO due to alleged violations of Bryant v. Shinseki and outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not eligible for an extension of the delimiting date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code due to her not being an eligible spouse at any time from June 17, 1991 to June 17, 2001.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizoaffective disorder, which was initially denied in 1997 and later granted with a retroactive effective date in 2004. The appeal is about whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in these decisions.

The Veteran's sleep disorder is not considered a separate disability and is already compensated through his service-connected spine disabilities.,There is no evidence of a specific right side disability that is not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's colon cancer, which was caused by exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange during service, was the principal cause of his death. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of surgical repair of bilateral inguinal hernias do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a certificate of eligibility for VA home loan benefits due to his failure to meet the minimum 24-month active duty requirement.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied as the evidence does not show that his chronic abdominal pain resulted from carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA personnel who provided treatment in January 2006.