Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an autoimmune disease, previously characterized as scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and poor circulation of the lower extremities, was reopened. Service connection for mixed connective tissue disease is granted.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board found no evidence of a right ring finger injury during service and concluded that the current disability is not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for medical services received at St. Anthony Hospital North in Westminster, Colorado from September 23 to September 25, 2013. The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran received VA medical services within the required timeframe.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with the creation of the overpayment and requests for a waiver. The Veteran needs to provide updated financial information, an audit of her account, and respond to any further instructions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral eye condition, specifically whether it is related to in-service exposure to herbicides or a Howitzer firing near him.

The Board finds that the Veteran's throat cancer is related to his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cause of death is service-connected due to glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which was presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran also received special monthly compensation for aid and attendance, as he required assistance with daily living activities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome was denied as the evidence did not show incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician.

The Veteran's active duty service was less than 24 months, which is not sufficient to qualify for VA loan guaranty benefits.

The Veteran's son, G.A., Jr., was not shown to have been permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18. Therefore, recognition as a helpless child is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment from January 22 to January 26, 2015 at University Hospitals Case Medical Center was for a continued medical emergency and could not have been safely discharged or transferred to a VA facility. As such, the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not have qualifying service for nonservice-connected pension benefits. The Board denied the claims.

The Board has determined that the AOJ failed to comply with procedural regulations and must be remanded for further action, including consideration of a special apportionment under 38 C.F.R. § 3.451.

The veteran's service is less than the required six years, and he did not serve on active duty. The Board denied VA loan guaranty benefits as his service duration does not meet the eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's death was more than one year prior to the appellant filing for accrued benefits, making her claim untimely and thus denied.

The Veteran's emphysema is remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's application for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied because he was incarcerated at the time of his application and remained incarcerated until December 1, 2017. The criteria for payment of non-service-connected pension benefits while incarcerated have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected right acromioclavicular separation and schizoaffective disorder were denied due to his failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's request for an extension of his eligibility period for use of Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits was denied as it was not filed within the required one-year period from his delimiting date.