Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension due to less than 90 days of wartime service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Kingston Hospital from October 6 to 28, 2011 are eligible for payment or reimbursement due to a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to new and material evidence, including an opinion linking the cause of death to herbicide exposure during active service. The Board also granted service connection for the cause of death based on a presumption that herbicide exposure may contribute to glioma pathogenesis.

The Veteran's left thumb disability, characterized as gamekeeper's thumb, is rated at zero percent. The other service-connected conditions are not rated higher.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis and bowel leakage have been rated based on their current severity, with the ulcerative colitis receiving a 40 percent rating and the bowel leakage receiving a 10 percent rating. The appeal is denied as both conditions are rated appropriately.

The Veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 (MGIB) for an on-the-job training program with DHS/ICE was received in August 2013. The effective date cannot be earlier than one year before the date of claim, which is August 30, 2012. Therefore, the Veteran's claim is denied as there is no entitlement to benefits under the law.

The Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals of both upper and lower extremities have been rated at 30 percent since September 29, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC are being remanded due to scheduling issues. The Veteran is requested to appear at a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual rate permissible for nonservice-connected death pension benefits, thus denying her claim and finding termination of benefits beginning May 1, 2011 was not proper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and restless leg syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiners found that these disorders are not related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Munson Medical Center from November 21, 2011, through November 28, 2011 was denied as she refused transfer to a VA facility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have recurrent/chronic UTIs or cystitis, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding secondary service connection and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hands and feet was not incurred during his active military service, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service, and is not shown to have manifested within one year from the date of his separation from the military.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for lupus, with the Board finding that her symptoms and diagnosis are related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and because the two issues are inextricably intertwined. The increased rating claim may result in additional evidence affecting the TDIU determination.

The Veteran's impairment of the seventh cranial nerve meets the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation, effective from January 29, 2010.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address whether the Veteran's peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.