Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and a 60 percent disability rating for genital herpes, finding that the earliest effective date is December 26, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for an adjustment of nonservice-connected disability pension benefits based on unreimbursed medical expenses from 2015 was denied because the expenses were not submitted within the required time frame.

The Veteran's HIV was not service-connected as his claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and an opinion on the etiology of his HIV.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for left elbow swelling and pain were granted as his condition was emergent, and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition has been reopened and remanded. The issue of service connection for a sleep condition is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability due to lack of an opinion linking it to service. The Veteran's claim is pending further examination and analysis.

An effective date of February 20, 2009 is granted for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremity.,The claims of entitlement to earlier effective dates for radiculopathy of the upper extremities are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury to the bilateral feet has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has decided that the appellant's discharge character does not bar his VA benefits, but they need to check for additional medical records from a specific period in Iraq.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiomyopathy as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, finding that there was no medical evidence linking the heart condition to his hypertension.

The Board denied the appellant's claim because his discharge was under conditions other than honorable due to willful and persistent misconduct, and he is not considered a veteran for VA purposes.

The Board found that the Appellant's discharge from service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which constitutes a bar to receiving VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for cognitive disorder, secondary to his service-connected chronic active hepatitis with cirrhosis of the liver (with a history of Wilson’s Disease), is denied. The effective date cannot be earlier than March 8, 2012, as it was the earliest date upon which a request to reopen the claim was filed.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for gastric reflux prior to June 22, 2010, and any rating in excess of 10 percent from that date have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurogenic bladder disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's breast cancer and removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes did not occur due to service, specifically exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral shin splints. The Board has determined that a VA examination of the lower extremities is needed to determine if she has a current disability and whether it was incurred in or due to active service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of improved death pension and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that the earliest date of receipt of a claim was April 12, 2012.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.