Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied the veteran's claims as she did not notify VA of her marriage to R. and was therefore not entitled to additional benefits for a dependent spouse.

The Veteran's surviving spouse has not met the criteria for accrued benefits as there were no pending claims at his time of death or unpaid VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have qualifying wartime service for death pension purposes and denied the claim. The appellant's child is also not entitled to accrued benefits as there were no pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board has recognized the appellant as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA death benefits and remanded the case to consider the merits of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a residual back injury as new and material evidence was not submitted, and the evidence did not establish a link between his current condition and any event or injury in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's clothing allowance claims for 2015 are remanded due to lack of proper notification and inconsistent documentation regarding the number of awards received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region has been granted. The issue of service connection for Epstein Barr Virus is being remanded.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no merits of her claim are considered.

The Board denied the claim for accrued benefits as new and material evidence was not submitted, and there were no benefits due to the Veteran at the time of his death.

The Board has granted service connection for labial nerve injury and right elbow disability, finding that the evidence supports these claims.

The Veteran's daughter was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of a physical or mental condition prior to her 18th birthday, and thus does not qualify as a helpless child for VA purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete records, particularly regarding service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disorder that he claims was caused by exposure to hazardous elements during his deployment.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's heart disorder and determine its relationship to his service, including Agent Orange exposure. The examiner must also address whether the Veteran's heart condition is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's claim for accrued benefits is denied due to a lack of evidence demonstrating a pending claim at the time of her husband's death. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for 2014 is granted because her use of VA-issued skin medications, prescribed for her service-connected pityriasis rosea, causes irreparable damage to her clothing.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for postoperative sequela of right inguinal hernia is denied as the hernia itself has not been symptomatic during the claims period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder should be remanded due to incomplete development and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's gout is found to have developed during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The appellant's income exceeded the maximum limit for a death pension, resulting in denial of her claim.

The Board cannot make a fully informed decision as the claims file is incomplete. The appellant seeks reimbursement for burial expenses in excess of $874.00, but the records are not complete and need to be located.