Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the appellant's net worth does not preclude her from receiving survivor's pension benefits, including special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The claim is granted.

The appeal is being remanded due to the Veteran's death and the need for further evidence from the appellant. The claim will be readjudicated after any additional evidence is submitted.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional left upper extremity disability due to a VA surgery performed on October 14, 2010. The case has been remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's request to receive retroactive spousal dependency benefits was denied because he received military retirement pay during the relevant period, which precluded concurrent payments.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the severity of his left breast cancer residuals and whether his mastectomy caused significant alteration in size or form.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rectal cancer, colon cancer, and basal cell carcinoma of the nose. The evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any incident therein.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, which could impact his claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral retinal lattice degeneration, which was first diagnosed in service, is a direct result of his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records for the periods at issue from Madigan Army Medical Center and UPCC. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The appellant's claim for accrued death pension benefits and recognition as a substitute claimant was denied because she did not file the required claims within one year of her mother's death, and her sister had already filed an application that was later deemed abandoned. The appellant is not eligible to receive accrued benefits either as a child or due to expenses paid on behalf of her mother.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claims of service connection for scleroderma and fatty liver disease. The case will be readjudicated after these opinions are obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the eligibility criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) prior to January 10, 2011, and thus denied an earlier effective date.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's HIV was not manifested by any of the symptoms necessary for a compensable disability rating prior to February 26, 2008. From February 26, 2008 to January 3, 2010, his HIV did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent. Starting from January 4, 2010, he was not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for an initial compensable rating for stable right and left SHA cerebral aneurysm status post bilateral coil treatment.

The Board previously denied service connection for arthritis, and a recent error in the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case has led to this dismissal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA opinion on whether the Veteran's Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is related to active service and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for weight loss and restless leg syndrome were denied, while his claim for an increased rating for costochondritis was granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 20% for costochondritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of residuals of malaria and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current bilateral hand disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.