Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of whether the character of the appellant's discharge from service is considered a bar to payment of VA benefits. The matter will be remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the appellant's mental state at the time of misconduct.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1805 and § 1815, finding no legal basis for payment involving disabilities other than spina bifida of a natural child whose father served in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was related to service, including his presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for increased death pension benefits will also be remanded as the appellant needs to provide information regarding her income and expenses.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the case.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to reopen his spondylitis claim has been granted, and the Board finds new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination to determine if the current spondylitis injury stems from active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records from Premier Hospice. The issues of service connection for tongue cancer and for the cause of the Veteran's death are being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability, including ptomaine poisoning, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need to confirm the dates of the appellant's active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) in the Reserves. The specific dates are not shown in the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying claimed in-service events. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is being evaluated by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claim for VRAP benefits beyond March 31, 2014 is denied as the authority to make payments under the program ended on that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple joint arthritis is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder is not related to his active service, including exposure to environmental hazards. The evidence does not support a finding of an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness. Therefore, service connection for the respiratory disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to a need for clarification regarding whether his gastrointestinal disorder is a medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability, including ptomaine poisoning, is denied as he does not have a currently diagnosed stomach disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, but denied service connection for Gilbert's Syndrome (GS). The respiratory disorder is linked to in-service exposure. GS was found not to be related to service.