Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The criteria for entitlement to dependents' educational assistance benefits have also not been met.

The claim was denied because the veteran did not attend all required classes at Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU) for the period from June 4, 2001 to April 4, 2003. The VA Office of Inspector General determined that fraud was committed by veterans attending RMTU resulting in losses to the VA of approximately $1.3 million. The claim is being remanded due to lack of documentation regarding participation in fraudulent activities.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeal, and the Board cannot proceed with the case.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of adenocarcinoma of the prostate and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder as secondary to asbestos/radiation exposure.,There is no evidence linking these cancers to service or a period of one year following service.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lexington Medical Center on July 3, 2003 were denied because the treatment was for a non-service-connected condition and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cataracts were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection based on exposure to bright sunlight while serving in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain and memory impairment as due to an undiagnosed illness related to service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War, finding no medical evidence supporting these claims.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed disabilities, including diverticulitis, colitis, bleeding from the rectum, prostatitis, emphysema, Barrett's esophagus, and ulcerated stomach, all claimed as secondary to asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of pneumonia or a lung disorder related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an apportionment of the veteran's VA compensation benefits on behalf of his minor child due to the veteran reasonably providing support and no demonstrated financial hardship.

The Board found that avascular necrosis of the hips did not occur during service and is not related to any incident or disability caused during service. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for muscle damage involving the left buttock and hip, as secondary to his service-connected disability, is moot because the condition is already part of the service-connected sacroiliac dysfunction. The veteran's donor site scar at the left iliac crest is rated 10 percent disabling based on its area not exceeding 2 square inches (144 sq. cm.). The veteran's post-operative residuals of cyst removal, medial aspect of the left distal femur, to include tender scar at the elected site, are currently rated 20 percent disabling and cannot be increased as it has been in effect for more than 20 years.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.

The appellant's father served in the Philippine Scouts and was granted compensation benefits. However, this service is not eligible for burial benefits due to specific legal provisions.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for another VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected calluses of the feet and to distinguish any manifestations from non-service connected disorders. The case will then be readjudicated.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a left calf gunshot wound do not meet the criteria for an increased rating, and thus denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's dysthymia demonstrated findings of depressed mood, irritable affect, and crying spells but did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as his symptoms did not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral thigh disorder secondary to his service-connected residuals of rheumatic fever, finding that there was no evidence showing that the current condition was proximately due to or related to his service-connected disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of her deceased husband, preventing her from reinstating her VA death pension benefits.

The Board found that the appellant did not meet the criteria for recognition as a surviving spouse of the veteran, leading to denial of her claim.