Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran had anemia related to his service-connected multiple myeloma, and thus service connection for anemia is granted as a matter of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcers is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected posttraumatic arthritis of the right hip was denied as there is no evidence of a compensable level of disability that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right hand disability warrants a rating of 10 percent prior to April 7, 2014, and a 70 percent rating thereafter.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not contribute to VEAP during active service or that any contributions were made on his behalf. As a result, entitlement to a refund of contributions made to VEAP is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of her delimiting date for VA education benefits under Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) beyond April 15, 2011 as she did not file a timely application.

The Veteran's May 11, 2012 VA colonoscopy and polypectomy resulted in significant complications including bowel perforation, requiring surgical resection of the large intestine. The respiratory disability was also a result of this procedure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine if the Veteran's paraplegia is secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for VA benefits based on his character and circumstances of discharge, finding that new evidence supports his contention that he was insane during service. The fact that he went AWOL is not a bar to VA benefits due to his insanity.

The Board has determined that the appellant qualifies as a surviving spouse of the Veteran for the purposes of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits, resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $3,000 for educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was valid and denied the Veteran's request to waive recovery of this debt. The decision concludes that requiring repayment would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's service-connected radiocapitellar arthrosis secondary to radial head fracture with ulnar nerve symptoms of the right elbow has been characterized as no more than severe incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve, resulting in mild paresthesias and numbness. The current rating is appropriate given the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis with backwash ileitis is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 7323. The symptoms described are considered to be moderately severe with frequent exacerbations.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as she has no legal entitlement to additional VA educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) beyond one day of full-time entitlement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his metatarsalgia and the etiology of his deep venous thrombosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a DRO hearing and preparing a Statement of the Case regarding his application to reopen service connection for a bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hair and nail loss condition, which may be associated with his exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam. The claims are being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of whether the character of the appellant's discharge is a bar to VA benefits. The Board also finds that the character of the appellant's service does not constitute a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at an appropriate VA facility due to the appellant's request and the circumstances surrounding his scheduled hearing.