Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death in March 1998. The Court affirmed this decision in September 1999. The appellant attempted to reopen her previously denied claim twice, but new and material evidence was not submitted. As no new evidence has been submitted since the last final denial, the petition to reopen is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for postoperative left inguinal hernia repair is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits was denied because he did not serve on active duty during a period of war, and therefore is ineligible for the benefit.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for additional vocational rehabilitation training after a declaration of rehabilitation.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for a Government-furnished headstone or marker because the Veteran died prior to the date authorized by law, and therefore VA may not provide another Government headstone or grave marker.

The Veteran received emergency services at Olean General Hospital on March 9, 2012 for a nonservice-connected disability. The treatment was of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health.

The Board denied the Appellant's request for an extension of the delimiting date for DEA benefits, finding that her mental health and physical disabilities did not prevent her from initiating or completing a program of education.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glioblastoma multiforme, which caused his death in August 2006, is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's lesion of the left ear is manifested by a scar that meets the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7800, resulting in a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension was denied as he did not serve in a period of war, making him ineligible under the applicable regulations.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for eligibility in the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) due to his bad conduct discharge from service, finding that he was under dishonorable conditions and thus not eligible.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a video conference hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's irregular heartbeat disorder, as manifested by sinus arrhythmia with left ventricular hypertrophy and normal wall motion, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to a concussion and TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected concussion must be evaluated, and his psychiatric symptoms should also be evaluated separately. Additionally, an opinion regarding whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities needs to be obtained.

The Veteran is seeking recognition of his son, R.J., as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age 18. The Board has requested additional medical records and an examination to determine if R.J. remains permanently incapable of self-support.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate condition preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issue of financial assistance for federal on-the-job training (OJT) under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vision disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for right arm numbness was also denied, but it was remanded due to a lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the second and third toes of the right foot has been granted, but as this decision is complete in itself, there are no remaining questions to be decided. The issue of an effective date prior to August 28, 2013, for the grant of service connection for a disability of the second and third toes of the right foot is remanded.