Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma, including its relationship to service and exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's request for waiver of recovery of overpayment of Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) education benefits was denied because the request was not timely filed within 180 days after notification.

The Veteran's claim for non-service connected pension benefits was denied due to the lack of evidence that a claim was received by VA earlier than February 26, 2015.

The Board denied the veteran's surviving spouse's claim for survivor pension benefits due to failure to provide requested information regarding eligibility, including proof of marriage and the Veteran’s death certificate.

The claims for service connection are granted for right hand and finger condition, left hand and finger arthritis, deformed C5 (neck), and eye condition. The claims for service connection for right hand disability, left hand disability, neck disability, residuals of hepatitis B, and eye disability are remanded.

The Board has restored service connection for multiple myeloma, finding that the November 2009 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous in granting presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cone-rod dystrophy was incurred in service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided that the right thumb disability, including DeQuervain Tenosynovitis and Trigger Finger, needs further examination to determine its etiology. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service is not considered to be during a period of war, thus denying his claim for VA nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran's right and left foot calluses are rated at a 30 percent, but the issue of whether a higher rating is warranted remains pending due to additional development needed.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery for an overpayment of NSC pension benefits, finding that repayment would be against equity and good conscience due to the Veteran's financial hardship.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's supraventricular tachycardia is related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected aneurysm/dilation of ascending aorta. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum annual limit set by law.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran experienced additional left eye disability as a result of the January 2008 VA procedure. The case is now pending for an independent medical expert's review.

The Veteran's initial, compensable rating for left hip strain (limited abduction) is denied as the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for additional VA education benefits in excess of three months under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was denied as she had already used 45 months and her total limit is 48 months.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition and remanded the case to obtain clarification on his left leg condition. The issues of service connection for both conditions are now pending.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his post-service conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied DIC benefits. The Veteran died from multiple myeloma, but it was not found to be related to his military service.