Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's daughter is not eligible for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because she was over the age of 26 when her basic eligibility for DEA benefits was established.

The Board has decided that a VA opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's cause of death may be caused by service, including his exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits due to a change in dependency status.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for VA non-service connected pension benefits because his service record could not be verified, and thus he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral postoperative cataracts with pseudophakia, finding that the Veteran's exposure to sun glare in service contributed to their development. Service connection was denied for an eye disability other than postoperative cataracts and optic atrophy.

The Veteran's cause of death is not related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The veteran's discharge was due to poor academic performance, not a service-connected disability. Therefore, he does not meet the eligibility criteria for VA loan guaranty benefits.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher rating for right lung pulmonary calcifications and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as his claim for TDIU. The cases are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is being remanded for further evaluation, and the issue of TDIU is also being deferred due to its inextricability from the rating claim.

The Veteran disputes the number of days he was paid for drill during FY 2015, and the resulting withholding by VA to recoup that pay. The AOJ issued a statement of the case (SOC) but it was returned as undeliverable in December 2017. A new SOC was sent to the Veteran's address in February 2018, but it did not include an explanation of reasons and bases for its decision. The Board concludes that the Veteran should be provided with a complete SOC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue and dyspnea due to an undiagnosed illness, as they are related to his Gulf War service. A new VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for chronic left upper extremity lymphedema with chronic pain and decreased range of motion of the left arm, as well as damage to muscles of the left upper chest, finding that there was no additional disability caused by VA's carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased initial rating for service-connected myelodysplastic syndrome before the Board made a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and for further development regarding the Veteran's participation in VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of vitiligo is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed varicose veins are related to active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's income for 2016 was below the means test threshold, allowing him to receive VA healthcare without a copayment.

The Board has determined that additional evaluations and development are needed for the Veteran's right hand sprain claim, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's gouty arthritis is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.