Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues related to the Veteran's uterine cancer and hysterectomy, including potential exposure to environmental hazards during her service at Fort McClellan.

The Veteran's service is not considered during a period of war, thus denying the claim for nonservice-connected death pension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. Additional development is needed, including verification of in-service exposure and review of deck logs for the USS Fresno.

The Veteran's vocational goal as a Registered Nurse is not reasonably feasible due to his service-connected spine disability, which prevents him from working and makes employment in the field of nursing unsuitable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on March 16, 2016. The decision states that the treatment was not rendered in an emergency situation and that delay would not have been hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's PVD of the right and left lower extremities was granted a 60 percent disability rating effective March 7, 2012.,Prior to March 7, 2012, the Veteran's PVD did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service is not considered to be during a recognized period of war, thus he does not meet the eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits.

The Veteran's spouse, the appellant, is denied recognition as a surviving spouse for VA death benefits due to her marriage not meeting the required criteria of being valid under the law of the place where she resided at the time of marriage.

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 the Veteran’s cremation but he was not receiving VA compensation or pension at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's MAI disability is related to his active duty service. The case will be returned for further review after this examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for residuals of lung adenocarcinoma is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess post-surgery residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right index finger injury and temporary paralysis of the right hand due to injury are being remanded as additional action is required to verify his combat experience in Korea and further examination is needed.

The Veteran's permanent total service-connected disability was found effective March 31, 2017. The appellant turned 26 in February 2017 and thus is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which bars him from receiving VA benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder and noncompensable dental disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a compensable disability. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran meets the eligibility requirements for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, other than his already-service-connected IBS. The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders did not have their onset during service and were not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's initial application for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) was in error, and he has now elected to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill instead.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death and MDS with chronic myelogenous leukemia, for accrued benefits purposes. The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia due to complications from his leukemia, which is related to in-service exposure to chemical contaminants including IRFNA, UDMH, JP-4 petroleum, and benzenes. Service connection has also been granted for MDS with chronic myelogenous leukemia on a direct basis.