Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's application for Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) education benefits was denied because he already used his eligible service period to qualify for Chapter 30 benefits.

The Board denied the claim for apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits because there is no evidence that K.T. and H.T. experience hardship due to inadequate financial support, despite receiving monthly payments from Social Security Administration on their behalf.

The Veteran's fifth left toe disability has worsened and resulted in various functional impairments, including joint pain, instability, frequent falls, and incoordination with balance. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of his service-connected fifth left toe disability.

The Veteran is eligible for Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) educational assistance benefits and the claim has been granted.

The appellant's spouse did not have qualifying service for death pension benefits, and therefore the claim is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information regarding financial status and net worth of the Veteran and Appellant. The parties are asked to provide this information.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and will require further efforts to obtain them. The claim for service connection is pending.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 17, 2016, for the addition of his spouse as a dependent was denied. The RO assigned the earliest possible effective date due to lack of notification from the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection regarding benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms and history of recurrent acute non-specific/non-gonococcal urethritis is being remanded due to the need to associate medical records from Dr. D.M.

The Veteran's deviated septum resulted in complete obstruction of the left nasal passage, which meets the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6502.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pleural plaques are related to asbestos exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic deviated nasal septum is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 6502.

The Veteran's right eye blindness with a total irreparable retinal detachment was caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or similar fault in providing medical treatment. As such, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is granted.

The Board has determined that A.W. should be recognized as the Veteran's current spouse and is entitled to receive dependency status based on her marriage to the Veteran.

The Veteran's service discharge was not eligible for VA benefits due to an extended period of AWOL and a related bad conduct discharge. The appellant, who is not the surviving spouse, does not have standing to request an individual review of the character of the Veteran’s discharge.

The Veteran's son, S.M., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to his disabilities. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child for VA benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the failure of VA to conduct a necessary examination for service connection of PTSD. The Veteran's incarceration made it difficult to arrange an examination, and further efforts are needed to obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's emergency room visit at Citrus Memorial Hospital for abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting is approved as covered by VA benefits.

The Board has decided to reconsider the previously denied claim of service connection for aortic insufficiency, and remands it for further development.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, pulmonary fibrosis, may be related to service exposure. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding the connection between asbestos exposure and the Veteran's condition, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.