Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits because the Veteran did not have 90 days of qualifying active service, and therefore was not entitled to any periodic monetary VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his appendectomy residuals is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The case will be returned for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's appendectomy.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatitis should be remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as she does not meet the statutory definition of a child and there is insufficient evidence to determine if she incurred expenses related to the last sickness and burial of the Veteran's surviving spouse.

The Veteran's net worth was found to be excessive for the receipt of NSC pension benefits, as his income exceeded his expenses and he had sufficient assets to cover his maintenance needs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cholangiocarcinoma, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current condition and his military service. The evidence did not show a nexus to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's digestive condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was caused by her presumed exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune during her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the Veteran's contact information and the need for additional VA examinations. The appeal is related to service connection for mood disorder, polysubstance dependence, and HIV.

The Board denied a compensable rating for residuals of pneumothorax, finding no current residual disability from the service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information in the record regarding the Veteran's fugitive status during the relevant time period.

The Veteran's bilateral hand and finger disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination in determining if the Veteran's current skin condition is related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to limitation of motion.,The Veteran's left upper extremity impairment and left lower extremity impairment are both currently rated at 30 percent and 20 percent respectively. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for alopecia areata, including as due to herbicide agent exposure and/or the service-connected PTSD, is denied. The Board found that alopecia areata is not etiologically related to herbicide agent exposure or PTSD.

The overpayment of $4,438.00 was created due to changes in the Veteran's dependency status and he has been granted a waiver of recovery.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as there is potential evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's service or service-connected disability and his digestive disability.

The Veteran's emphysema with associated shortness of breath and fatigue is granted as secondary to his service-connected TB with COPD. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right ring finger fracture residuals are being remanded for further evaluation as the most recent examination may not accurately reflect current severity.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 27, 2015 for the establishment of special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance. The decision is based on retroactive grant of non-service-connected pension.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA pension benefits is waived due to financial hardship and other equitable considerations.