Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's lung disorder is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service, specifically the exposure to burnt wood residuals while repairing steam locomotives.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral meralgia paresthetica of the lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's disability started during her active service and is related to her in-service symptoms.

The Board has determined that the termination of pension benefits and creation of an overpayment were proper, but will prepare a re-accounting to ensure accurate calculations based on the correct applicable Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left AC joint separation is of service origin and grants her claim for this condition. The issue of service connection for bilateral foot disorder (hallux valgus) remains pending as an additional examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Crohn's disease was denied, as the RO continued to assign a 60 percent rating from June 17, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a higher educational assistance rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was denied as he did not meet the legal requirements, despite his active duty ending due to involuntary separation.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a travel Board hearing at the RO in Chicago, Illinois, or via video-conference if requested. The appellant's claim is not about service connection and thus does not fall under this category.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if he had urinary hesitancy and nocturia related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability prior to September 7, 2007.

The Veteran is receiving a non-service connected pension for two dependent children in the appellant's custody, but has not been paying child support as mandated by state court orders. The Board grants an apportionment of $360.17 per month to cover the cost of supporting these children.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current left hip disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $1,867.73 was validly created and not due to fraud, misrepresentation or bad faith on the part of the Veteran. The decision grants waiver of recovery of this overpayment as it would be against the standards of equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's service-connected undifferentiated somatoform disorder was not found to be sufficient by itself to render him unemployable, and the Board denied accrued benefits based on a pending claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and the etiology of his squamous cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of his case.

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that there is no basis to assign a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted, as per the Court's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of defective vision of the right eye is being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinion and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claimed prostate, testicle, and muscle/joint disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no nexus between the current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left hip was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's non-service connected pension is being apportioned to the appellant for support of their two dependent children, with specific monthly amounts determined based on the Veteran's annual allotments.