Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension because his service in the Marine Corps Reserve was not considered active military, naval, or air service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of payment for Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits was denied as the criteria for eligibility at a percentage of maximum amounts payable higher than 60 percent have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on unemployability and Dependent's Educational Assistance benefits prior to April 1, 2008. The decision found that the Veteran was gainfully employed during this period and thus not eligible for these benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral great toenail condition, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her active duty service.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded due to incomplete military records and an illegible death certificate. Additional information is needed, including the Veteran’s service locations and a complete death certificate.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an apportionment of his VA compensation benefits to the appellant and her child, finding that he was providing support and there was no demonstrated hardship.

The Board has granted service connection for stable angina due to presumed herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran's condition is an ischemic heart disease and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of an overpayment was denied because it was not filed within the required 180-day period after notification.

The Board previously denied service connection for BPH with residual lower urinary tract symptoms. The case is being remanded due to the need for clarification and further opinion regarding whether the Veteran's BPH was aggravated by his prostate cancer treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear information about when the Veteran retired and why, as it is related to his service-connected laryngeal cancer.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for varicose veins of the left leg was denied, and his TDIU claim due to service-connected varicose veins was remanded. The Board found that there were no persistent edema or stasis pigmentation/eczema in the left leg at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for cancer of the tonsil, finding that it is more likely than not related to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim was reopened based on new evidence and the disease was found to be a radiogenic condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documents and procedural issues, including a thorough search for the appellant's complete claims file.

The Veteran's skin cancer scars are not painful or unstable, and do not cover an area of at least 39 square cm. Therefore, the claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for a disability manifested by joint pain, including as due to undiagnosed or chronic multi-symptom illness. The case is being returned for an addendum opinion from the examiner who provided the February 2020 VA opinions.

The Board denied service connection for retinopathy and a dental disability, both of which are presumed to be related to diabetes mellitus type II. The VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities caused or aggravated his congestive heart failure, which was the cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative.

The Veteran's death occurred before the effective date of a law change, and therefore he is not eligible for a government-furnished grave marker. The claim has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of septoplasty did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 0 percent from September 15, 2014 through May 18, 2016.