Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for spina bifida occulta as it was a congenital defect that pre-existed military service and was not subject to a superimposed disease or injury during service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's cause of death claim and accrued benefits issue. The claims will be remanded to allow for further investigation and potential new opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a hysterectomy and bladder disorder, but denied service connection for PID. The Veteran's hysterectomy is considered to be related to her active service, while her bladder disorder is also linked to service. However, the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PID.

The Veteran's hammer toe of the right foot with partial amputation of the second toe is rated as 10 percent disabling beginning April 1, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's colon cancer and herbicide exposure. A new medical opinion is needed.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim for service connection for essential thrombocytopenia (claimed as leukemia) due to in-service exposure to chemicals and carbon arc lights. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The veteran's service in the Army National Guard did not meet the criteria for VA home loan guaranty benefits due to his lack of six years of service and because he was discharged prior to completing his obligation, which is not considered a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's retinoschisis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) arose during active duty or within a year of discharge. The Veteran's symptoms were noted in various STRs, but the clinician found no direct link between SLE and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dementia is related to service, resolving doubt in his favor and granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the appellant's late husband's military service and for obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's left fifth toe fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that the condition does not more closely approximate a moderately severe or severe foot injury.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that the appellant did not file a timely application to reopen her previously denied claim and that the service personnel records associated with the claims after the initial denial were not relevant to her claim. The award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death was granted based on a medical opinion provided by Dr. I., who had treated the Veteran in service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the service connection claim for a skin disability, including due to asbestos exposure. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of gunshot wound to the left foot with reflex sympathetic dystrophy are granted a 30 percent rating prior to July 1, 1996.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of stroke, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his period of active duty or to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left forearm disability and upper respiratory disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Board found that the overpayment of $31,282.15 was valid due to the Veteran's incarceration and continued receipt of benefits despite knowing they were erroneous. The debt cannot be waived as it would violate principles of equity and good conscience.