Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxious mood was rated at 50 percent prior to January 5, 2015 and granted a 70 percent rating on and after that date.,Effective June 1, 2014, the Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim seeking recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of DIC benefits because new evidence did not establish that she was living with the Veteran continuously from the date of their marriage until his death, and her separation was not due to fault on her part. The appeal is dismissed.

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

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for achalasia was denied as there is no evidence of factually ascertainable increase in severity prior to January 17, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete income information and the need for a copy of the Veteran's autopsy report.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a lipoma removal on his neck is being remanded due to the need for an examination and review of his medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for desmin myopathy, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, breathing problems, and sleep problems due to exposure to environmental hazards during service in the Southwest Asia theater. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the termination of the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits effective September 1, 2008 was proper due to receipt of Social Security income.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left mid-tibial stress fractures, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and unobtained SSA disability benefits records. The claim for additional special monthly compensation (SMC) is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for his right ankle disability and a higher initial rating for his left ankle disability. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's anemia, including whether it is related to in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran died in 1973, before November 1, 1990. Therefore, he is not eligible for a government-furnished headstone or marker on his privately-marked grave.

The Board denied service connection for a vision disability, including histoplasmosis of the eyes, as there was no evidence linking current vision problems to service.

The Veteran's request for waiver of overpayment was denied because it was not filed within the required 180-day period after notification of the overpayment.

The Veteran died in 1978, prior to November 1, 1990. As a result, he is not eligible for a government-furnished headstone or marker on his privately-marked grave.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is moot.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper consideration of the Veteran's claims, including for a VA examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the TDIU claim.