Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for cardiomyopathy with left branch bundle block was denied as there is no evidence showing a valid claim prior to January 28, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound scars of the right lower extremity with retained foreign body have been rated at 10 percent prior to October 22, 2014. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for this period.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a chronic cerebrovascular disability, including residuals of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a groin injury is denied as there is no competent evidence showing the presence of such a condition during his military service. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are remanded due to pending issues.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining private hospital records and VA medical records, as there are no treatment records from the private hospital in the claims file. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of death will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left elbow disability. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board found that the appellant was entitled to VA nonservice-connected death pension benefits effective March 1, 2011. The claim for earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemoptysis is related to his service-connected epistaxis and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the appellant has been fully compensated for his service-connected disability rated as 10 percent disabling for the period from August [redacted], 2000 to March 31, 2006. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's anemia is not service connected as it did not manifest within one year of his discharge from service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease.

The VA denied the claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Sky Lakes Medical Center and Rogue Valley Medical Center from March 6, 2008 to April 9, 2008.

The Board has determined that the appellant is only entitled to 80 percent of the maximum amount payable for educational assistance under the provisions of Chapter 33, and remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected left hand disability was reduced from a 40 percent rating to a 10 percent rating, but the Board found that this reduction was improper and restored the original 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of any current right ear disability, including whether it is related to service or preexisted service.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or death pension benefits due to her divorce from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal of an increased rating for hearing loss is dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU is dismissed as there is no valid freestanding claim and CUE in prior decisions has not been alleged.

The Board has granted termination of the apportionment currently established for the Veteran's minor daughter, A.P., due to a hardship existing for the Veteran without undue hardship for his daughter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate evaluations of his cognitive disabilities and memory impairment as a result of his service-connected hemorrhagic stroke. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of these conditions.