Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's cause of death was advanced hepatic encephalopathy, but the Board found no evidence linking this to his service or any service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral artery wall calcifications of the lower extremities and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability but denied the claim as there is no evidence to support that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA pension benefits in the amount of $33, 268 was waived by the Board. However, the waiver was denied as there were no indications of fraud, misrepresentation or bad faith on the part of the Veteran and recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran seeks service connection for the residuals of a broken right ankle. The Board finds that additional development is needed, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right ankle disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMP based on need for aid and attendance due to his visual impairment, inability to care for himself, or balance issues. The Veteran's service connection claims for loss of vision and memory impairment as well as balance impairment were reopened but denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his pending appeals, including the claim for a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's sterilization is not causally related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, including atrial flutter, as there is no current disability and the Veteran's previous episode of atrial flutter has resolved.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for a dental disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran died from esophageal cancer, which was not service-connected and there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's stroke was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The event (stroke) was also considered foreseeable and thus did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Veteran died in July 2007 and was buried in August 2007. The appellant filed a claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits more than two years after the burial, which is not within the statutory time limit. Therefore, the appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than March 15, 2010 for survivor's pension as a helpless child is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral femoral nerves, prostatitis, right ureterolithiasis, and xerosis were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Memorial Hospital Jacksonville on June 14, 2013 for chest pain were approved as they met the criteria for payment under 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Veteran's service in the Philippine Commonwealth Army is not considered qualifying for nonservice-connected death pension benefits. The appellant did not have any pending claims at the time of her husband's death, and thus does not meet the criteria for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's cause of death has already been granted service connection, making the pension claim moot.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his travel and service dates. The appeal will be reconsidered after this information is obtained.