Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's request for additional VR&E benefits to pursue a master's degree in mental health was denied as her existing education, including her master's degree in Christian counseling, was deemed sufficient for employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for Chapter 1606 education benefits prior to February 21, 2024 due to information from his service department stating he did not become eligible until that date.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim of service connection for right quadrant abdominal pain. The Board has also granted service connection for a skin disorder, diagnosed as actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied DIC benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypogonadism with bilateral testicle atrophy is denied as there is no evidence of complete atrophy or removal of the testicles.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) should be remanded due to incomplete development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an umbilical hernia, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his military service and the condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to unclear and inaccurate fee decisions, which failed to address both grants of past-due benefits. The AOJ needs to provide accurate notice regarding eligibility for attorney fees based on the individual grants.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, cannabis use disorder, moderate; other stimulant use disorder, severe in sustained remission; and alcohol use disorder, moderate in early remission. The Board found that these conditions are proximately due to his military service.

The Veteran's essential thrombocythemia is remanded for further evaluation and clarification of its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rhinoplasty residuals manifested as moderate incomplete paralysis of the fifth cranial nerve, warranting a 10% disability rating. The decision is based on evidence showing constant numbness and pain in the nose.

The Board has granted service connection for esophageal cancer, finding that the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service near the Korean DMZ more likely than not contributed to the development of the condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (OSTSRD), is granted as service connected due to the in-service combat experiences during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of ambulance expenses incurred on August 30, 2020 is remanded due to errors in the AOJ's adjudication process. The AOJ must correct these errors by developing the record and properly considering the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right finger disabilities, as secondary to service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's bilateral finger disability is currently on appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dry eye syndrome is denied because there is no current diagnosis of the condition and it was caused by an in-service elective procedure to correct a developmental defect.

The Veteran's appeal regarding her child being recognized as a dependent for the purpose of VA dependency compensation is dismissed because she did not challenge this issue in her original appeal. The claim was granted separately.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a potential error in determining whether mitigating circumstances existed for the appellant's withdrawal from her education program. The AOJ will gather more information and consider any new evidence submitted by the appellant.

Your request to waive the debt has been granted. The appeal is dismissed as there are no unresolved issues.