Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of a gastrointestinal disorder related to service or medication for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's unauthorized medical treatment at Erie County Medical Center from December 31, 2001 to January 5, 2002 was not authorized by VA due to lack of prior authorization and the fact that VA facilities were available for his care.

The Board has granted a partial waiver of recovery for an overpayment of $270 due to the appellant's status as a dependent spouse, considering fault on both sides and equitable reasons.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA benefits due to a lack of recognized service in the United States Armed Forces.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, finding that it was not proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected Cesarean section scar.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous condition but denied the reopening of his claim for service connection for a foot disorder. The decision is mixed as it affects both issues.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left forearm disability was denied by the RO, with a final denial in January 2001. The VA examinations conducted did not find any new or material evidence to reopen the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of January 11, 2001 for service connection of Crohn's disease, finding that the earliest document showing a claim was his December 29, 1977 VAF 21-527 form, which did not mention Crohn's disease.

The appellant's service as a Merchant Marine from December 1945 to February 1952 is not considered active military, naval, or air service due to the specific date range provided. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for basic eligibility for VA disability compensation benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development due to a request for an RO hearing. The case will be reviewed again after the hearing, and if necessary, a supplemental statement of the case will be provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a statement of the case on several issues.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, massive intracerebral hemorrhage, was not related to his military service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA death pension benefits, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chest burn residuals are service-connected, resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examiner's opinion on the cause of death. The appellant is also advised to submit any relevant evidence in her possession.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to adequately discuss the duty to assist, and the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is being returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's appeal is denied as he did not receive VA treatment within the 24-month period preceding his July 13, 2002 hospitalization and thus is not eligible for reimbursement under the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for Crohn's disease and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran was rated at 30 percent for his service-connected Crohn's disease.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, intracranial hemorrhage, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for eligibility for Dependent's Educational Assistance lacks legal merit.