Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his request for TDIU. The initial rating of 10% for hypertrophic calluses of the feet was maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed cardiovascular disability was not shown to have been present in military service or many years thereafter, nor is it the result of any incident occurring during military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left foot and left hip disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for pulmonary fibrosis and TDIU in April 2014. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right breast carcinoma in situ was denied. The current 30 percent disability rating is maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death by myocardial infarction, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for restless leg syndrome, including as secondary to his service-connected undifferentiated somatoform disorder.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical evidence and schedule the appellant for an examination of his bilateral eye disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's HIV is due to unprotected sexual activity during his military service. The Veteran also has eczema, which was not compensable prior to November 18, 2013, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The lung condition claim is remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be esophageal cancer, which is presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange exposure. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 and the claim for extended death pension benefits were denied due to income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an apportionment of the Veteran's compensation benefits as his spouse, finding that the total benefit payable to the Veteran does not permit payment of a reasonable amount to any apportionee.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic urinary tract problem or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that manifested during active military service. The Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his service, and there is no indication of exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The issues of special monthly pension and the effective date for scars are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to whether the deceased's character of discharge from military service is a bar to VA benefits, as well as claims for service connection for lung cancer and brain cancer. The appeal will be reconsidered after addressing the issue of substitution.

The Board found that the appellant was a fugitive felon during the period from February [redacted], 2010, to April [redacted], 2011, and therefore his DIC benefits were properly terminated. As such, the resulting overpayment is valid.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left and right hand cold injury residuals is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for the purpose of one-time payment from the FVEC fund and denied her claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for non-service connected burial benefits as his body was cremated at a private hospital. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for Crohn's disease, which he asserts is related to his Vietnam service. The VA examiner found that the condition did not have its onset during active duty and is not proximately due or aggravated by PTSD.