Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right hip disability results in significant pain, including frequent flare-ups, causing functional loss and limited range of motion. The Board grants a 20 percent rating for the service-connected right hip strain.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to clarify the dates and nature of the appellant's service, as well as to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his current back disability. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported foreign service locations and a need for further medical examination regarding his ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the severity of his right clavicle disability, long and ring finger joint disabilities, and their impact on employment. The TDIU issue is also part of this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is causally related to an event, injury, or disease in service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the appellant's appeal, finding that she is entitled to Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, beginning September 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU due to his service-connected peptic ulcer disease. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination, and all relevant VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Board found that VA properly retroactively reduced the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits after verification of previously unreported income for calendar years 2008 to 2011, and denied the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate examination and speculative opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's disability rating for partial superficial peripheral nerve (tibial nerve) paresis of the right foot was increased to 20 percent effective October 26, 2017. Prior to this date, his condition had been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and leg disabilities are found to have had their onset in service, warranting the grant of service connection.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim of being recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for DIC benefits due to her divorce from the Veteran on his request, and because she was not married at the time of his death. The decision also noted that VA is not bound by findings made by other federal agencies such as SSA.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left tympanic membrane disability and recurrent ear infections. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination, is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board finds that the overpayment of VRAP benefits in the amount of $4,639.87 for the period from February 7, 2013, to May 5, 2013, was not validly created and grants the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's son has established eligibility for retroactive payment of DEA benefits, and the coursework completed at Baldwin Wallace University (BWU) from August 23, 1999 to May 10, 2002 and at the University of Findlay (UF) from January 5, 2005 to December 15, 2005 qualifies for payment.

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

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 2, 2013, for the grant of additional compensation for a dependent spouse was denied as he did not submit proof of dependency status within one year of notification.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of verification of service, and the appellant's claim is not about service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence, but further development is needed as the records related to the underlying cancer are not available.