Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the case is remanded for further action regarding substitution of the surviving spouse.

The Veteran is not eligible for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 32, or Chapter 34 conversion due to his service period and lack of participation in the programs.

The Veteran did not serve during a period of war, thus the claim for nonservice-connected VA death pension benefits is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a gynecological disorder, specifically menorrhagia and related symptoms. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature of her claimed condition and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity amputations were not incurred as a result of VA failure to exercise the degree of care that would be expected of a reasonable health care provider, and there is no indication he sustained additional disability due to an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and thus there are no merits issues to address.

The Board denied reopening and service connection for residuals of pneumonia and residuals of a left leg injury in June 2009. The appellant did not submit new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, specifically the residuals of a fractured right scapula, is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5203. The evidence does not support an increase in evaluation beyond this level.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Eustachian tube dysfunction and dizziness has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the available evidence does not support a finding of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between any diagnosed psychiatric condition and the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an expert medical opinion regarding a skin disability and its relationship to service and exposure. The Veteran seeks service connection for a skin condition but the appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected neuralgia of the right upper extremity, effective January 21, 2014. The issue remains in appellate status as the Veteran has not been awarded the highest possible evaluation.

The Veteran's request for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Orlando Health, Inc. on March 30, 2014 is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left great toe bunion is not due to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased benefits under Chapter 33 of the U.S. Code was denied, and his request to revoke an election of benefits under Chapter 33 in lieu of benefits under Chapter 30 was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a dental disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied both claims for compensation purposes and outpatient dental treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for varicosities of the lower right leg, with scar residuals due to a lack of persuasive medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and service.

The Board has granted entitlement to DEA benefits for the costs of dental licensure examinations taken in May 2009, August 2009, October 2009, January 2010 and February 2010. The claim for reimbursement of the cost of the dental licensure examination taken in March 2008 is denied.

The Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, and thus he is not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and thus no longer has standing to pursue the claim.