Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her TMJ and ensuring substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied the appellant's request for VA home loan guaranty benefits as his service did not qualify him as a veteran due to incomplete service requirements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals from his in-service appendectomy, including adhesions and scarring. The VA examiner found that any residuals have resolved without scarring or adhesions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease was granted effective February 19, 2011. He is seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by chronic physical flushing and changes in body temperature for which service connection may be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate rationale from previous VA medical opinions and a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes or peripheral neuropathy caused or aggravated his joint pain.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 18, 2012 for the award of special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance. The Veteran's claim was received on that date.

The Board found that the correct monthly housing allowance for the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 semesters was based on the ZIP code of Paris Junior College, not Texas A&M University-Commerce. The Veteran's claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was not incurred during her active service, as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition or disease related to her in-service treatment for cervical dysplasia and irregular uterine bleeding. The surgery was performed post-separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the Veteran's claimed heart disability. Additionally, updated VA treatment records are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including blisters of the upper and lower extremities (hands and feet) and seborrheic keratosis, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or other chemicals that could support a presumption. The Board also found no direct evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran is found incompetent to handle his VA benefits due to mental health issues, specifically dementia and delusional disorder. The Board denied the claim for restoration of competency.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further VA examination and to obtain additional medical records. The claims are related to his service in the Persian Gulf War, specifically respiratory disorders, left upper/lower extremity pain, and fatigue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Sjögren's syndrome and dental disorder for treatment purposes are service-connected, with the latter being related to his service-connected Sjögren's syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's right eye disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current eye disorder, including whether it was present during service or caused by military service.

The evidence is in equipoise, demonstrating that the Veteran's pancreatitis was at least as likely as not caused by medication for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support at the time she turned 18 years old, and thus cannot be recognized as a helpless child of the Veteran for VA benefits purposes.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore cannot meet the diagnostic criteria required for this condition.