Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued death pension benefits as E.J.'s estate was deemed sufficient to cover her maintenance needs, and thus she did not qualify for additional VA benefits during the period from April 2011 to April 2012.

The Board has restored DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to ischemic cardiomyopathy, which is a presumptive condition resulting from exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits was denied due to an untimely application, as the appellant filed her application more than ten years after the Veteran's burial.

The claim for service-connected burial benefits was denied as the Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition. The claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits was also denied because the appellant did not meet all the criteria, including having an original or reopened claim for VA compensation or pension benefits pending at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the issues regarding the interruption and discontinuation of vocational rehabilitation benefits due to a pending appeal with respect to an April 2011 decision.

The Veteran's breast cancer is related to her service at Camp Lejeune, where she was exposed to contaminated water. However, the claim must be remanded for an appropriate examination to determine the etiology of her breast cancer.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities that make him unable to dress, keep clean, or protect himself from daily environment hazards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye macular degeneration is denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam and the condition was not diagnosed until many years after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for spontaneous pneumothorax, left (now claimed as lung collapsed, left and pleural abrasions) is denied due to lack of credible evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for spontaneous pneumothorax, right (now claimed as lung collapsed, right and pleural abrasions) is denied because there was no herbicide exposure in Vietnam and the condition was not diagnosed until many years after service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder as related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder, including rash on the lower part of the body, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity and treatment of the Veteran's skin disability. The Veteran is seeking an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for his skin disability.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between any condition and his death.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic sleep disability during his military service and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that he currently has a sleep disability related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back injury is related to his military service.

The Veteran's skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma of the left side of the nose, has been rated as zero percent disabling due to no evidence of disfigurement or functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or the housebound criteria is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's DDD was rated at 10 percent from July 29, 2016 to June 28, 2018. The appeal is denied as the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.,Service connection for radiculopathy in the right lower extremity (sciatic) was granted with a 20 percent initial rating from June 28, 2018. The effective date is denied as it has not been established that entitlement to this service connection arose before June 28, 2018.,Service connection for radiculopathy in the left lower extremity (sciatic) was granted with a 20 percent initial rating from June 28, 2018. The effective date is denied as it has not been established that entitlement to this service connection arose before June 28, 2018.,Service connection for radiculopathy in the right lower extremity (femoral) was granted with a 20 percent initial rating from June 28, 2018. The effective date is denied as it has not been established that entitlement to this service connection arose before June 28, 2018.,Service connection for radiculopathy in the left lower extremity (femoral) was granted with a 20 percent initial rating from June 28, 2018. The effective date is denied as it has not been established that entitlement to this service connection arose before June 28, 2018.