Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for a left little finger amputation with arthritis was denied. Separate ratings were granted for limitation of motion in the thumb, index, and long fingers of the left hand.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral lower extremity varicose veins and found that new evidence supports a finding that he developed this condition during active service. The Board also found that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim, thus granting service connection.

The Board denied special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or due to housebound status prior to January 1, 2016.,The Board granted special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance from January 1, 2016. The appellant is in need of regular aid and assistance to keep herself clean, attend to her needs, and protect herself from daily hazards.,Payment of death pension benefits was denied prior to January 1, 2015 due to the appellant's income exceeding maximum rates.,Death pension benefits were granted from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. The appellant’s countable income did not exceed the applicable maximum annual pension rate during this period.,Payment of death pension benefits at the rate for a surviving spouse with no dependents and with the need for aid and attendance was granted from January 1, 2016 onwards.

The Veteran's service connection claim for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder other than opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder, which are not disabilities for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for scoliosis prior to September 14, 2010 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's death was recognized as service-connected, but the appellant turned 26 before she could receive Chapter 35 education benefits. As her father died before she reached 18 years old, she is not eligible for benefits beyond August 29, 2013.

The Veteran's father, who is not the surviving spouse, has been denied a month-of-death payment as he did not have a surviving spouse at the time of his death.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to the appellant withdrawing her appeal. The issue of whether she is eligible as a surviving spouse was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including obtaining VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's liver cancer. The service connection claim for the cause of the Veteran’s death and the DIC compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency, claimed as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The VA examiner found that there is no medical relationship between the Veteran’s service-connected hypertension and his current disability.

The Board has granted the appellant's request for an effective date of February 6, 2017 for the commencement of her eligibility for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) Chapter 35 benefits. The decision is based on evidence that she submitted a valid election form within the required 60-day period.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for anatomical loss of the right eye, which was secondary to his service-connected malaria, and for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected malaria due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and because of the need for further medical evaluation regarding his skin disability.

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

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for aortic stenosis before December 2, 2009 as it was previously addressed and decided by the Board in a final decision.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is granted. The Veteran's claim of direct service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to in-service TCE exposure is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim for service connection for aortic stenosis was granted. The Board also remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his death. The VA is required to obtain a medical opinion on whether any of these conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to clarify the authority under which the Veteran was called to service and the nature of his service for his periods of service after September 10, 2001.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a dental injury to teeth numbers 8 and 9 is dismissed as the claim has been fully granted in June 1977.