Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a survivor with no dependents, and thus termination of nonservice-connected death pension benefits effective June 1, 2010 was proper.

The Veteran's countable annual income, after deducting unreimbursed medical expenses and insurance premiums, exceeds the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for nonservice-connected pension. Therefore, he does not meet the eligibility requirements for this benefit.

The Board has decided that a hearing before the Board is necessary and has been scheduled for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's lower back pain required immediate medical attention due to the severity of his condition and the impracticality of seeking care at VA facilities. The Board finds that payment or reimbursement for the unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 12, 2012 is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his gastrointestinal hemorrhagic episodes.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of dental trauma, including loss of teeth. The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's fibrocystic disease of the breasts did not preexist service and was not aggravated by service. The Board also found that her ear infections were secondary to her service-connected perforated tympanic membrane.

The Board found no evidence of actual herbicide exposure in Korea and thus could not grant presumptive service connection for heart disease. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not include ischemic heart disease, which is one of the diseases associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current atrial fibrillation is related to her active duty service, while her mitral valve regurgitation did not have its onset during service and is unrelated to it.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lipoma and squamous cell carcinoma are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO until the Veteran receives his requested hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear disability as there is no evidence of a current disability affecting the right ear during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is remanded to obtain an updated VA opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hip strain to his active duty service or any other condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was due to his service-connected prostate cancer, which is considered a contributing cause of death. The claim for service connection for a cardiac disorder is denied as there is no evidence of ischemic heart disease or other cardiovascular issues related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity was denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current respiratory disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from a right hip replacement performed at the VA Medical Center in West Haven, Connecticut. The Board determines that a remand is required before an adjudication of the claim on its merits.

The Veteran seeks a higher rating for her service-connected lumbago. The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the nature and severity of her disability.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for Sjögren's syndrome, as there is no credible evidence linking it to active service or any in-service injury, event, or illness.