Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claim, including compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and review under new rating criteria.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for retroactive payment of VA educational benefits due to her participation in an on-the-job training program, finding that she did not meet the one-year requirement prior to submitting her application.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected trench foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms and medical findings.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right eye injury and did not address the initial rating claim for DJD of the right hip.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated radiation dose estimates and seeking an opinion from VA's Under Secretary of Health regarding the likelihood that the veteran's condition is related to service exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's mood disorder is manifested by a flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, unpredictable and disinhibited anger and rage, anhedonia, difficulty with interpersonal relationships, and a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 50 indicating serious social and occupational impairment. The Board finds that the veteran's mood disorder most nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent rating under Code 9435.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of antinucleation of bilateral testicular dermoid/epidermoid cysts and bilateral orchioplexy with chronic testicular pain. The RO has requested additional medical evidence and will conduct a VA examination to assess the current state of the veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling an RO hearing and a VA examination to assess the veteran's left eye blindness and vascular disability claims. The new issue of service connection for vascular disability is also being addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any current discoid lupus erythematosus. The veteran will be afforded a VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have qualifying service for VA pension benefits, and therefore the appellant is ineligible for VA death pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration of updated treatment records and revised rating criteria.

The Board found that the reduction of the veteran's service connected compensation due to incarceration was proper for the period from July 12, 2000 to August 8, 2000. However, it determined that the reduction should not have been applied to the period from August 9, 2000 to December 1, 2000.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected laceration of the left arm is granted, as it is secondary to PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury and residuals of a neck injury, but remanded the case due to additional development needed. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The veteran's death was caused by colon cancer, which occurred after his military service. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is being remanded to allow consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that continued payment of special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is denied as there was no prior award of such benefits.

The Board found that the veteran did not file a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 within one year of undergoing prostate surgery, and thus denied an earlier effective date.