Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of Chapter 33 benefits was denied because it was not filed within the required 180-day period after notification of the debt.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the hands, based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted a special apportionment of the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits to the appellant on behalf of J.K., in the amount of the dependency allowance for one dependent child, due to financial hardship demonstrated by the appellant.

The Board has decided that the appellant did not receive a $300 nonservice-connected burial benefit check, and has ordered remand for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hip disability, including arthritis with bursitis. The issue of TDIU prior to August 15, 2011 is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the grant of service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it before a decision was made.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits as new and material evidence was not received within a year of the January 2009 rating decision, which became final.

The Veteran's unauthorized ambulance transportation service from Johnston County Emergency Service (JCES) incurred on June 3, 2017 is granted as the underlying medical expenses at Wake Medical Center were covered by the Veteran’s Medicare Part A health insurance coverage. The decision was made based on VA regulations that allow for payment or reimbursement of emergency treatment when a veteran's liability is not fully extinguished by a third-party payer such as Medicare.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder is rated at 10 percent prior to October 18, 2011 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The Board denied a higher rating for the condition.

The Board denied service connection for neuromyopathy and lupus as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to active service.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity post phlebitic syndrome were granted a rating of 20 percent each prior to February 27, 2015. From February 27, 2015, to March 1, 2019, the ratings for both disabilities were denied.

The Board has granted an apportionment of the Veteran's VA disability benefits in the amount of $200.00 per month to the appellant on behalf of his dependent child, D.W., as it does not cause undue hardship to the Veteran.

The Board has found that the issue of whether the overpayment of compensation benefits in the amount of $15,750.00 due to an apportionment award was properly created must be addressed before considering the waiver claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure at Ramasun Station, and a need for further research.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's scleroderma manifested during service and its etiology.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder, including cataracts. The Veteran's high blood pressure was granted a 10% rating effective March 4, 2018.,For the period prior to February 24, 2017, the Veteran’s hypertension required continuous use of medication but did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Board has reopened the claim for recognition of J.B. as a helpless child due to her disabilities, including Turner's syndrome and Gerstmann syndrome, which rendered her incapable of self-support prior to age 18.

The Board has already decided the issue of earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits, so it is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional clarification regarding the Veteran's back disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current back disabilities, which include Lumbago and other unspecified back conditions.