Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatitis, as secondary to his service-connected left hallux valgus, was dismissed because the Veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal within 60 days of receiving the Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the VA reductions in disability compensation for Fiscal Years 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2013 due to active service pay were proper.

The claim was denied due to the provision being invalid and not developed on any other basis. The appeal is now remanded for further development.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death because there was no evidence that exposure to Agent Orange caused, hastened or substantially and materially contributed to the Veteran's death. The Board also found that the appellant's PTSD claims are not new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, finding that there was no evidence of such needs.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left foot drop has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's skin disability, including squamous cell carcinoma and seborrheic keratosis, is granted as service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, left knee disability, scarring of the lungs, and residuals of traumatic brain injury are remanded.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of an overpayment of education benefits was not timely filed, resulting in the denial of her appeal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and temporary total evaluations are denied. The Board has found that the earliest effective date allowed under the law is February 27, 2012, and thus cannot be earlier. The issues of entitlement to temporary total evaluations for January and April 2013 hernia surgeries have been remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for shortness of breath, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's death from pulmonary fibrosis was due to asbestos exposure during service, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the condition.

The Veteran's depression was granted a 50% rating prior to February 27, 2018. A higher rating is denied for the period beginning February 27, 2018. The Veteran's left arm disability remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits as her claim was filed within two years of his death. The Veteran died at home without being admitted to a VA facility or receiving VA care.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left arm/elbow condition pre-existed service and was aggravated by active military service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's death was not recognized for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits because the Appellant did not enter into a valid marriage with the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy with voiding dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cardia arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The effective date of this grant is September 9, 2010.

The Veteran's dermatophytosis, to include onychomycosis, is attributable to his period of service and the claim for service connection has been granted.