Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's TMJ dysfunction did not have its onset during service and is not attributable to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim of service connection for a cardiovascular condition, as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), can be adjudicated. The Veteran's previous VA examination was deemed inadequate and an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his SVT must be obtained.

The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in service, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection. The larynx cancer was diagnosed many years after separation from active duty, and did not manifest within one year of separation. Therefore, service connection for larynx cancer was denied.

The Veteran's service is less than 90 days and does not meet the threshold requirements for eligibility for VA pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of recent VA medical examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a Board hearing at the local RO. The case will be referred back to the Board after scheduling the requested hearing.

The Veteran's cardiac ischemia status post cardiac transplant is currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's mitral valve prolapse was rated at a 100% disability rating effective July 28, 2008. Prior to this date, the condition warranted a 30% disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for Crohn's disease, finding that new and material evidence does not relate to an established fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board is unclear about the appellant's status as the Veteran's surviving spouse for death pension benefits due to conflicting information and a lack of documentation. The case is being remanded to obtain necessary records and clarify the appellant's marital status.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral heel conditions and his active duty service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for compensation benefits with one dependent was denied as he is not eligible to receive concurrent benefits of VA compensation and military disability retirement pay.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastric cancer. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal cancer is found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection for the condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected cyclitis and bilateral cataracts was denied. The maximum schedular evaluations of 30 percent prior to November 8, 2008 and 40 percent from that date are not met.

The Veteran's claims for reimbursement of private medical treatment expenses are denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing and because he provided good cause for missing the hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for scheduling another videoconference hearing.

The Board denied a request for an effective date earlier than January 16, 2012 for the election to receive educational benefits under the post-9/11 GI Bill in lieu of benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill.