Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's daughter does not have spina bifida, and the evidence does not support a finding of any other covered birth defect. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for scoliosis, finding that his preexisting condition was permanently aggravated by his military service.

The case is being remanded due to the appellant's request to participate in VA’s test program (RAMP) and not receiving a RAMP decision before the appeal was transferred to the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for paruresis has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the overpayment of Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) education benefits in the amount of $125.00 for books and supplies was properly created and is a valid debt, based on the appellant receiving benefits for more credit hours than he attended.

The Veteran's encephalomyelitis was diagnosed and treated during service, but there is no current evidence of a disability related to the in-service condition.

The Veteran's lower back strain is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the highest possible rating based on range of motion. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a higher rating as the disability does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The appeal is dismissed due to the deaths of both the Veteran and his spouse, who were the appellants.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a menstrual disorder, finding that her condition is not related to her service and does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits based on lack of eligible wartime service for pension purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ingrown toe nail condition is denied, and the claim for an initial increased rating for her chronic UTI condition (interstitial cystitis) is granted with a maximum of 40 percent.

The Board found that the reduction in VA disability compensation benefits for a period of 103 days in FY 2011 due to concurrent receipt of military pay was proper and denied the appeal.

The appeal for VA loan guaranty eligibility benefits has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's Sjogren’s Syndrome, including whether it is related to his active service and exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied both requests for an effective date prior to August 1, 2016 for the grant of dependency benefits for the Veteran's spouse and stepson. The effective dates were set at August 1, 2016.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for an upper-respiratory/sinus disorder but denied the claim itself, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between current symptoms and service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right leg disability, including right superior femoral artery occlusion with pain and claudication, is at least as likely as not incurred during his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's essential thrombocythemia is at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to benzene and other solvents during his time in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Appellant is not considered the Veteran's surviving spouse because she was married to another person at the time of the Veteran's death, and therefore ineligible for DIC.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an apportionment of his VA disability compensation benefits on behalf of their son, G.L. due to the Veteran reasonably discharging his responsibility for support and no evidence of hardship.