Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VA pension benefits due to the Appellant's income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate, specifically because she liquidated an IRA and gifted its assets to her children prior to filing her application.

The Veteran's service-connected right biceps tendon rupture is granted a 40 percent evaluation from June 2, 2010 to March 15, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms more closely aligned with a severe muscle disability of muscle group V than a moderately severe one.

The Veteran's child was no longer of qualifying age at the time of the effective date for benefits, and thus he is not entitled to partial month compensation for dependency benefits.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of any claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right hip and leg disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in both ears due to incomplete medical history and need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip bursitis, finding that there was no direct or secondary causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to active duty.

The appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage of the left knee is granted. The claim for a separate rating for instability of the left knee, rated as 10 percent disabling prior to October 6, 2009, is denied. The claim for a separate rating for instability of the left knee, rated as 30 percent disabling beginning October 6, 2009, is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not create an employment handicap, and therefore he is not eligible for VR&E benefits under Chapter 31 of the VA Code.

The Veteran's application for waiver of indebtedness was not timely, and therefore the claim is denied.

The Veteran's heart disability claim is being remanded for further examination and analysis due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not provide evidence of a pending claim for VA compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. The Board denied the nonservice-connected burial benefits as there were no legal grounds to grant them.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left-hand trigger finger disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot condition, including fracture residuals, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury during basic training. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the character of her discharge, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow disorder and thoracic spine disorder due to new evidence submitted since the August 2007 rating decision. However, further development is needed as VA examinations are required before the merits of these claims can be addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in a previous VA medical opinion regarding direct service connection for atrial fibrillation. The claim will be returned for an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service records and to determine if the appellant had any federal active service.