Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed nerve damage to his upper extremities and neck are not related to service or a service-connected disability, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of a low back disability incurred or aggravated during service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the reduction of his VA compensation benefits to recoup military drill pay for 43 days during fiscal year 2007 was proper under the law.

The appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues, including the need for a SOC and substantive appeal content notification to the Veteran. A videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge must be scheduled for the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as she did not experience circumstances comparable to those under which persons have generally been forcibly detained or interned by enemy governments during periods of war, and her claims for service connection are considered 'unknown' due to the nature of the issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to clarify the existence of current breast disabilities and their relationship to service. Additionally, his earlier effective date claim for a rating increase for bilateral hearing loss will be remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his service-connected left femoral neck fracture was granted, with a noncompensable evaluation initially and then upgraded to 30% effective December 26, 2006.

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple myeloma is granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board finds that the Veteran's multiple myeloma is etiologically due to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation and grants service connection for this condition.

The appellant has withdrawn his claim for recognized status as a veteran, and the Board finds that it is dismissed due to this withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct, including possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and assault with a dangerous weapon. As such, his discharge is considered a bar to payment of VA benefits.

The Board found no current lung disorder and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the discontinuation of the Veteran's participation in vocational rehabilitation and employment (VRE) program was improper, and has ordered a remand for further action.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a left hand crush injury is granted, with no new or material evidence submitted to reopen it. The case was remanded for further development and an examination, which resulted in a negative nexus opinion based on medical records without considering lay statements.

The Board found that the Veteran's intestinal damage and hernia repair residuals were not proximately caused by VA medical treatment, thus denying his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the neck disorder and right foot disability claims due to a lack of VA examinations, and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's left ventricular hypertrophy, which is shown to be a complication of hypertension. The issue of entitlement to a separate disability rating for left ventricular hypertrophy as secondary to service-connected hypertension is intertwined with the matter of entitlement to service connection for hypertensive renal disease and microalbuminuria, to include as secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits was denied because his periods of service following September 10, 2001 did not meet the eligibility requirements for educational assistance under Chapter 33.

The Veteran's service-connected complete deafness of the right ear is currently rated at 10 percent, and there is no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current medical findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of hemorrhagic fever and a skin disorder, are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.