Other conditions Board decisions

The appellant's second application for DEA benefits was granted, but the effective date could not be earlier than January 4, 2000.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a spine disability. The claim is now reopened, but further development is needed before the merits can be decided.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's residuals of a fractured olecranon process of the left ulna with arthritis, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's current stomach disability is more likely related to alcohol dependence and use, rather than service connection or secondary to medications for his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of his appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claim.

The veteran's default on a VA-guaranteed loan resulted in indebtedness to the government. The COWC found that while the veteran did not practice fraud, he was capable of paying over time and had several credit cards and large amounts of debt. However, they also noted that the veteran faced financial hardship due to unemployment.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge from service was a bar to VA compensation benefits due to willful and persistent misconduct, resulting in an other than honorable discharge.

The case is being sent back for additional development due to the need for notification and development action under the VCAA. The overpayment of VA improved death pension benefits in the amount of $12,620.00 will be reviewed along with the appellant's request for waiver.

The Board finds that the appellant's deceased spouse had no recognized active service and therefore does not meet the requirements for basic legal entitlement to VA death benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her varicose veins of the right leg, finding that she did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 12, 1998 and found that she met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent from January 12, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right thumb fracture does not result in any current impairment, and thus a compensable rating is denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of pension benefits in the amount of $3,246.00 due to undue financial hardship.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected residuals of a fractured pelvis with degenerative changes, finding that the evidence did not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shin splints and other leg disorders is being remanded due to unclear findings from the VA examination. The examiner needs to provide a clear diagnosis of all current leg disorders, determine their onset during service, and assess whether they are related to conditions present at the end of his military service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for the disability of the second toe of the left foot should be April 4, 1986.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation for prostatitis with urethritis, finding no current symptoms of these conditions that would warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased rating of the residuals of a history of rib fracture, which was previously characterized as pleural cavity, residuals of rib fracture.

The Board has determined that recovery of the overpayment would be against equity and good conscience, thus granting the appellant's request for a waiver.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities. The case is now remanded for additional examination and review.