Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of prostatitis, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder may be related to service, specifically presumed exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. However, additional medical evidence is needed to clarify the etiology and determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by such exposure.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed regarding the Veteran's and appellant's income and expenses to determine if an apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits should be granted. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for supraventricular arrhythmia with chest pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including arthritis, strain, and patellar chondromalacia, is at least in equipoise with service connection due to an in-service injury. The evidence supports a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for intestinal perforation residuals has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran died in March 2010 and had recently been awarded nonservice-connected pension benefits. The appellant, who is the Veteran's daughter, did not pay any expenses associated with his last illness or burial. As she does not meet the criteria for being a child of the Veteran under VA regulations, she is not entitled to accrued VA nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic gastritis with helicobacter pylori and angioedema are being remanded due to inadequate examinations conducted in April 2016, the need for new examinations, and the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Board finds that the decision to grant an increased apportionment for the Veteran's child from December 1, 2009, and reduce it to September 1, 2014 is proper.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected left fifth finger residuals, status post fracture. The AOJ should also consider whether referral for an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for forgetfulness, sleep problems and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness and diarrhea due to an undiagnosed illness have been reopened. However, the Board found that these conditions are not related to his military service or Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's right ring finger/mallet finger with degenerative joint disease of the fourth distal interphalangeal joint is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to inadequate previous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his claims are evaluated in a thorough and accurate manner.

The Veteran's income exceeded the maximum allowable pension rate (MAPR) for a veteran with one dependent, and thus he is not entitled to resumption of nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility to Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits was initially denied due to lack of qualifying active service. However, the Board found that VA's erroneous decision in April 2013 finding him eligible should be corrected and granted on equitable grounds as he acted to his financial detriment based on this error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of any service-connected disability, including his skin disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via video conference. The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for dental trauma is pending.

The appellant does not have service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army in the service of the United States Armed Forces, and therefore is not eligible for VA benefits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's vaginitis is not related to her active duty service and does not have a current diagnosis of atrophic vaginitis due to post-menopausal state. The claim for service connection for vaginitis has been denied.