Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's adult daughter is seeking burial benefits for her father. The appeal is currently in remand status due to incomplete records and the need to acquire additional information from the appellant.

The Veteran's eligibility for the VRAP is denied because he was already participating in another VA education benefit program (VR&E services).

The Board has ordered the case back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action due to incomplete records regarding the Veteran's private chiropractor treatment and authorization.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence confirming the Veteran's location and duty assignment during his active duty.

The Board has determined that the reduction and termination of the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits were proper due to his annual income exceeding the maximum allowable rate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification of specific issues on appeal and issuance of a statement of the case.

The Veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Munroe Regional Medical Center on October 30, 2012. The appeal is currently remanded due to missing records and notification issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's spondylolysis is related to his service and if it was aggravated by his service-connected spondylolisthesis. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected spondylolisthesis remains pending.

The Board granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for PTSD, effective December 14, 2001. The Veteran's claim of service connection for dysthymia and panic disorder was reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's right arm deformity and limitation of motion were not shown to be proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of VA fault, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's left middle finger deformity with flexion contracture is not rated compensable, as the gap between the fingertip and the crease of the palm is less than one inch.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cancer of the larynx was denied as there is no confirmation of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and the evidence does not support a finding that he developed cancer of the larynx during or within one year after service. The Board also found that his current condition is not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypercoagulation disorder and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and opioid/cannabis dependence. The Veteran's hypercoagulation disorder was found not to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found no credible evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and thus could not presume service connection for the Veteran's CLL. The preponderance of the evidence showed that the Veteran did not have CLL related to his military service, including any potential herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear determination of creditable service for Chapter 33 benefits purposes and a need for clarification regarding the suggestion on the DD Form 214 that the service period from March 2005 to September 2005 was active duty for special work.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion from a VA examiner to address the Veteran's reports of being thrown into a polluted lake during service and its potential connection to his current eye disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip disorder was not manifested during his active military service, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service, and is not shown to have manifested within one year from the date of his separation from the military. The Board also noted that the disorder is not caused or aggravated by the service-connected right fifth toe fracture.

The Veteran does not have residuals of a CVA as a result of VA care, treatment, or services; moreover, the evidence does not demonstrate that any possible additional disability was due to any fault on the part of VA in providing the care or treatment.

The Veteran died of chronic pancreatitis due to alcohol abuse. The Board finds that the cause of death is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking the pancreatitis or alcohol abuse to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits due to his service not meeting the requirements for veteran status.