Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right thumb disability, including whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for Hansen's disease can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining VA treatment records and a supplemental medical opinion from the Veteran's treating physician, L.L.H., M.D.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA spine examination to assess the current severity of his back disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities, including foot conditions, hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and others. The case is being remanded to provide additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left little finger amputation and associated scar residuals were denied as the current ratings under applicable diagnostic codes are considered appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected hernia residuals and right side rib procedure residuals are not rated higher than non-compensable.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is also denied. The Veteran's hearing impairment does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a personality disorder was denied as such disorders are not compensable under VA law. The Board also notes that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disability, but does not have evidence of service connection for it.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed musculoskeletal chest condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as she was not married to the Veteran at the time of his death and therefore cannot be considered his surviving spouse for VA benefits.

The Veteran's eating disorder, diagnosed as binge-eating, was caused by her service-connected PTSD. Service connection is granted for the eating disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a skin disorder during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there is no competent and credible evidence linking his current skin disorders to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's countable income exceeded the applicable maximum annual pension rates for the entire appeal period, thus denying her entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between her husband's fatal pulmonary fibrosis and in-service asbestos exposure. The July 2013 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's pulmonary fibrosis did not result from his exposure to asbestos.

The Board finds that the Veteran's myelofibrosis is related to his military service, specifically his exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied in part, with the remaining portion ($12,805) not being waived due to it not being against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected postoperative gastrectomy syndrome and gastric adenocarcinoma is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's initial four years of active duty as a commissioned officer were excluded from the service countable for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit purposes, leaving her with 357 days of qualifying active duty. This entitles her to 50 percent of the maximum rate (at least 90 days but less than 12 total months of active duty).

The Veteran's application for VA educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill was denied because he did not first enter active duty after June 30, 1985. He is also precluded from obtaining Chapter 34 benefits due to their termination on December 31, 1989.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA). The case will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for eligibility for VA home loan benefits due to insufficient service in the Selected Reserve and lack of discharge due to a service-connected disability.