Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's urticaria is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there are no debilitating episodes or systemic immunosuppressive therapy required.

The Board has determined that the case should be remanded to obtain the appellant's complete service personnel records, which may include documentation of his honorable discharge and reenlistment. The appeal will then be readjudicated based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's hip disabilities, specifically right and left hip tendonitis and bursitis, have been rated at 10 percent since August 4, 2008. However, the evidence shows that from August 4, 2008 to February 10, 2013, his symptoms were more severe with limitation of motion in multiple planes (flexion limited to 20 degrees bilaterally and abduction limited to 5 degrees). The Veteran is now entitled to separate ratings for each issue: a 30 percent rating for right hip tendonitis and bursitis based on limitation of flexion, and a 20 percent rating for left hip tendonitis and bursitis based on limitation of abduction.

The Veteran's appeal for Vocational Rehabilitation and Education (VR&E) benefits has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected left upper lobectomy does not result in any current residuals, and his anemia is not related to active duty service.,Service connection for anemia was denied as the disability did not manifest until years after separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied by the Committee on Waivers and Compromises due to his failure to provide requested income information, resulting in a $29,461 overpayment. The Board remanded the case to obtain further information regarding the Veteran's monthly countable income during the period he received pension benefits.

The Veteran's liver disability is not related to his service-connected PTSD, but rather due to long-standing alcohol abuse. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right TDD with reduction has been granted an initial compensable evaluation of 10 percent prior to June 8, 2011. The condition is characterized by popping and jaw pain, resulting in some functional impairment but not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for verification of the appellant's claimed deceased spouse's qualifying service with the Department of the Army.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a skin disability. The Veteran appealed this decision to the Court, which affirmed the denial on schedular basis and vacated the extraschedular portion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral ovarian cysts did not have their onset during service and are not related to her military service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a statement of the case due to failure to issue one in the previous rating decision. The appellant's claim of entitlement to nonservice connected death pension benefits is now pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips did not manifest within one year of active service and could not be causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by esophageal cancer, which the VA does not consider to be related to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hairy cell leukemia was active and required intensive treatment with Interferon therapy from December 1994 to August 1995, warranting a 100% evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incorrect mailing addresses and a need for further development.

The Board denied the Appellant's request to reopen her claim for VA death benefits, finding that no new and material evidence had been received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's request for an extension of his Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits beyond June 1, 2005 was denied as there is no evidence that he had a physical or mental disability preventing him from initiating or completing the education program during his eligibility period.

The Veteran's spouse was properly removed as the Veteran's dependent effective June 16, 2006. The Board finds that there is no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date for the removal of his spouse.