Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran died from septic shock due to peritonitis. The appellant contends that the cause of death was related to his exposure to herbicides during service, specifically in Germany. The Board has ordered additional development including verification of the Veteran's service in Vietnam and Germany, as well as an opinion regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right hand injury are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms of pain and loss of flexion in the long and index fingers. The Board also noted that any numbness and muscle weakness were attributed to nonservice-connected nerve entrapment.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge was due to willful and persistent misconduct, specifically multiple periods of absence without leave (AWOL) during his service. The Board concluded this constituted a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bruxism began during active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran, finding that she did not meet the legal criteria to establish status as a surviving spouse for purposes of VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative, thus dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's facial numbness, tingling, and hypersensitivity are service-connected due to his in-service shrapnel injury. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the VAMC for action as described.

The Board determined that the overpayment of $7,525 for VA non-service connected pension benefits was not validly created due to expenses related to raising and racing horses offsetting any income received.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with panic disorder is rated at 100% prior to January 31, 2013 due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's child is seeking an extension of the delimiting date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits beyond August 13, 2013. The Board finds that the appellant was entitled to basic eligibility of 8 years but cannot extend his delimiting date past age 31 due to conditions beyond his control.

The Veteran's right hand condition, including arthritis, is related to his service. The Veteran's lichen planus on the penis has been manifested by symptoms affecting less than five percent of his entire body and exposed areas, requiring topical corticosteroid therapy only.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye disability and denied an increased rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for DIC, nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and dependency benefits for her daughter on the grounds that there was no verified service in the United States Armed Forces.,The appellant did not provide evidence to support her claim of Philippine Commonwealth Army service.

The Veteran's appeal was timely, and the claim of entitlement to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services was granted.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from service was under other than honorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct, which constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits.

The appellant's claim for reimbursement of service-connected burial expenses in excess of $1939.00 was denied as she did not incur additional expenses beyond the reported amount.

The Board has denied the Appellant's claim for recognition as a surviving spouse for basic eligibility for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

The Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as ecchymosis, is at least as likely as not proximately due to or the result of taking coumadin related to his service-connected coronary arteriosclerotic heart disease.,Prior to August 19, 2017, the Veteran had no worse than level VI hearing in the left ear and level III hearing in the right ear.