Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's cause of death is found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to accrued benefits for expenses incurred in connection with her husband's widow's last sickness and burial. However, due to missing documents from the original claim process, the case is being remanded to locate these records.

The Board found the reduction of the rating for bilateral high myopia from 100% to 60% proper, as the evidence showed improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of an overpayment of educational assistance benefits in the amount of $5,154.04 was denied because it was not timely filed.

The Veteran's claim for Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) education benefits was denied because he did not have the required minimum amount of active service. The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information from the Department of Defense regarding the nature and type of service during a specific period.

The Veteran is seeking a refund for his Chapter 30 contributions. The amount he contributed ($1000) is disputed, and the case must be remanded to obtain and associate the relevant documents from the Department of Defense.

The veteran did not have qualifying wartime service for death pension purposes, so the claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's service in the territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect his claim for gout as related to herbicide exposure. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) with instructions to obtain and consider this information.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for loss of the sense of smell and throat cancer due to chemical exposure, specifically pesticide exposure during active duty. The Veteran's exposure to pesticides is conceded.

The decision to terminate the nonservice-connected death pension benefits was due to excessive income. The claimant is provided another opportunity to provide unreimbursed medical expenses for 2017.

The appellant is not eligible for Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because she was over the age of 26 when her father retired from service and received a permanent and total disability rating.

The Veteran's motion to vacate the denial of service connection for benign essential blepharospasm was granted due to a lack of due process.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because they passed away during the pendency of their appeal, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's claim for increased Chapter 33 education benefits is being remanded due to incomplete documentation and the need for clarification on the type of training received during a specific period.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a breathing/lung disorder and denied the claim for service connection.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal before a decision could be made.

The Board has granted service connection for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) based on the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is recognized for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot hammertoes are related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as hyperlipidemia is not a disability in and of itself, only a laboratory finding. The Board found no evidence linking the hyperlipidemia to active service.