Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board found that the appellant's discharge was under conditions other than honorable due to multiple non-judicial punishments for willful and persistent misconduct, and he was not insane at the time of these incidents. As a result, his character of discharge bars him from receiving VA benefits.

The Veteran's overpayment of VRAP benefits was denied as he was not entitled to the benefits due to a reduction in his credit hours.

The Veteran's adult daughter, who was diagnosed with systemic lupus at age 9 and has been permanently disabled since then, is recognized as a helpless child for VA benefits due to her permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus and bunion are granted a 10% disability rating. The claim for secondary service connection for bilateral knee disability is denied.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for discoid lupus erythematosus with systemic lupus erythematosus and tumidus lupus effective from November 30, 2005. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of frequent exacerbations causing severe impairment to his health.

The Board denied an apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits on behalf of his son, A.A., due to financial hardship. The appellant demonstrated financial hardship for herself and her child, but the Veteran also had significant expenses that exceeded his income. Therefore, a special apportionment was not granted as it would cause undue financial hardship to the Veteran.

The appellant's claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits greater than $300.00 was denied as the Veteran did not meet the legal requirements for such benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary vascular disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorder, including degenerative joint disease and a history of a left clavicle fracture sustained during service, is related to his military service. As such, service connection for post-left clavicle fracture is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for vision loss and a gynecological condition due to inadequate examinations and lack of medical opinions regarding the etiology of her conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for vision loss and a gynecological condition due to inadequate examinations and lack of medical opinions regarding the etiology of her conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia and memory loss claimed as residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The case is remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left and right arm injuries, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's left and right arm disabilities, as well as his residuals of a right heel injury and head injury, have been granted service connection. He is also awarded an initial 10 percent rating for his right heel disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's partial tear of the right rotator cuff is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a left testicle condition (claimed as bilateral), but denied service connection for left breast lymphadenopathy.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot hallux valgus with limitus and arthritis is denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's right foot hallux limitus should be remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for gastritis with esophagitis and familial adenomatous polyposis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 14, 2014 for her service connection claim and remanded the issues of a higher disability rating and TDIU.

The appeal is remanded because the SSA records related to the Veteran's stroke benefits are not in the claims folder, and they need to be obtained.