Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the NPRC's findings are insufficient to satisfy the requirements of 3.203(c) and remanded for VA to seek verification of service directly from the Department of the Army.

The Board finds that the appellant is not the son of the Veteran and thus is not eligible for VA benefits based on the Veteran.

The Veteran's atherosclerosis and inguinal hernia were diagnosed during active duty service. His disabilities leave him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC on the basis of a need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's death from lung carcinoma was not caused by his active military service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's arthritis of the thoracic spine was found to be compensably disabling within one year of separation from active duty, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for educational assistance at the 100 percent rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was denied as he did not meet the required length of service to qualify for that level.

The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of numbness of the bilateral lower extremities and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's income exceeded the maximum non-service-connected pension rate, thus denying his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board found that the appellant's annual income exceeded the maximum pension rate, thus denying her claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA home loan guaranty benefits due to his discharge from active duty due to unsatisfactory performance, and he did not complete a total service of at least six years in the Selected Reserve.

The Veteran's claim to add his spouse, L., as a dependent spouse was granted effective from August 8, 2011. The Board found that the earliest effective date available under the law is August 8, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fractured left hand, to include thumb pain, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at a non-VA facility were denied reimbursement under the Millenium Health Care Act due to his coverage under a health-plan contract, specifically Medicare.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for the residual disability of a left ulna fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition was resolved in favor of the VA, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck condition is not directly related to his service or secondary to any of his service-connected disabilities, including headaches and TBI.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), did not stem from his service-connected conditions and was not due to herbicide exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the RO's January 2003 decision assigning an effective date of September 27, 2001 for the grant of service connection for organic personality disorder and organic mood disorder due to closed head injury. The effective date is now set at April 22, 1968.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's subarachnoid cyst is related to his service, including a close proximity to a jet engine explosion in 1956. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.