Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's stepson was denied payment of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to May 8, 2014 because the appellant did not file his application within one year of receiving notification that he was eligible for such benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for hyposmia (reduced sense of smell) and hypogeusia (reduced sense of taste), finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to burn pits during his active duty in Iraq.

The Veteran challenges the calculation of an overpayment in his VA compensation benefits for fiscal year 2015. The Board has ordered a remand to prepare an audit explaining how the overpayment was calculated.

The Veteran's overpayment of Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) educational benefits was denied as he did not notify VA about his withdrawal from the courses, causing the overpayment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA medical opinion regarding service connection for alcohol abuse disorder secondary to PTSD. The orthopedic examination is also required to determine if there is a current hip disability related to the right buttock SFW.

The Veteran's stepchild, A.M. (previously A.G.), who became a step-child after turning 18 and was adopted later, is not considered a dependent for purposes of additional benefit payments due to her age at the time she became his step-child.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any residuals from an elevated diaphragm, as well as whether these residuals are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination to assess the severity of his eye disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding whether the Veteran's continued inpatient treatment at CRMC from May 22, 2012 to May 25, 2012 was considered 'emergency treatment' or reimbursable 'continued non-emergency treatment,' and if transfer to a VA facility was feasible.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, and requests authorization for treatment records from five private and Army facilities. The Veteran's response was received after the supplemental statement of the case.

The Board finds that remand is appropriate to clarify the periods and types of Veteran's active duty service for purposes of Chapter 33 educational assistance.

The Veteran's emergency medical treatment for respiratory problems and chest pain on April 10, 2015 was approved because the condition was considered an emergency due to her symptoms of throat swelling and breathing difficulties. The VA facilities were not feasibly available during her emergency.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the conditions that led to his death (pneumonia and scleroderma) were unrelated to his military service. The Board denied service connection for cause of death.

The Board dismissed the appeal because a waiver of overpayment was granted, making any further review moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's tremor disability is related to service, specifically exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination and providing good cause for the Veteran's failure to appear. The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has determined that the appellant's death pension benefits based on school child status were properly terminated due to incarceration and non-compliance with educational requirements. The benefits were reinstated effective July 1, 2015, when the appellant notified VA of his intention to pursue a course of study.

The Veteran's death was attributed to ischemic pontine stroke and basilar artery thrombosis. The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for these conditions due to Agent Orange exposure or Camp Lejeune contamination.