Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the appellant's income from March 1, 2013 fell below the applicable maximum annual pension rate (MAPR), thus warranting entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board found no current disability related to the Veteran's in-service left leg stress fracture and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for amyloidosis of the lung is pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a visual disorder was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to his current visual disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, including personality disorder or polysubstance abuse with substance-induced mood disorder, that is related to military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records were not available and remanded for another opinion. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disorder was denied.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of a head injury during service, and the medical opinion evidence does not support a nexus between the current brain tumor and service.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been granted a 10 percent evaluation each. The right knee disability is rated as having limitation of flexion to 50 degrees and the left knee disability is rated as having limitation of flexion to 70 degrees.,Prior to March 11, 2013, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted a 10 percent evaluation. Beginning March 11, 2013, the disability is rated as having flexion to 55 degrees.,The Veteran's sciatic nerve paralysis of the left lower extremity has been granted a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether an overpayment of VA compensation benefits was validly created due to a divorce in 2013. The Veteran must file a timely and adequate substantive appeal.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder resulted in moderate to severe occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating effective from January 17, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Citrus Memorial Hospital on December 19, 2010 was denied because he had health coverage through Medicare insurance.

The Veteran's initial service connection for right hip strain was granted with a 10 percent rating. The RO increased the rating to 20 percent effective October 9, 2013. The Board found that an evaluation in excess of these ratings is not warranted.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the Veteran's hospital records and to provide an opinion regarding whether his death was caused by service-connected conditions or due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for residuals of surgery of tubo-ovarian adhesions was denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not have any current symptoms or treatment related to her reproductive tract condition.,The claims for reopening service connection for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and bilateral tubal occlusion were both denied, with evidence submitted since the previous denial not considered new and material.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lipomas are related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for multiple lipomas is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being remanded due to missing records. The case will be reviewed again with all relevant documents included.

The Veteran's additional heart disability, including complete heart block and the need for a permanent pacemaker, was not caused by VA medical treatment. The surgery was deemed to be reasonably foreseeable given her life-threatening condition.

The appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including inviting the appellant to provide information establishing her relationship to the Veteran and to M.U., her marital status, her age, and her enrollment in any approved educational courses. The AOJ should also attempt to obtain a complete version of the power of attorney submitted by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise and service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted due to exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right great toe disability is related to his service, and thus service connection is granted.