Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral scotomas, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if additional disability occurred as a result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on VA. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Board finds that service connection for duodenal ulcer with residual postoperative ventral hernia and digestive problems is warranted based on the evidence, including the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during and after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination. The initial rating of 10 percent for chronic lower back strain and thoracic arthritis remains under review.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, but finds that there is no evidence to support a finding that any disability caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death. The Board therefore denies the claim.

The Veteran died in April 2003 due to natural causes. His service-connected residuals of trench foot is not considered the principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran died at a private hospital and was not hospitalized by VA or receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility. Therefore, the appellant is not entitled to non-service-connected burial benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for a neurological examination to determine the nature and severity of any right hand injury residuals, including any related nerve paralysis or neuritis.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not submit new and material evidence to reopen her claim of revoking forfeiture of VA benefits, as the submitted evidence is either cumulative or does not relate to the reason for the original forfeiture.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of $3,116 in disability compensation was denied due to fault on his part and lack of undue hardship.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (claimed as nervousness) has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the Board finds that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1970 rating decision denying this claim.

The Board denied the motion alleging clear and unmistakable error in the decision that declined to reopen the appellant's claim of basic eligibility for VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is etiologically related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected cervical spine disability, C5-6 disc bulge is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is denied as the VA examiner or designee has not certified that he uses medication prescribed by a physician for one skin condition, which is due to a service-connected disability and causes irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's right thumb metacarpal fracture residuals, effective from January 2008. The case was remanded multiple times due to inadequate examination reports and further development is required.

The Veteran's cause of death, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), is determined to be related to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date earlier than August 31, 2010, for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant did not file a formal or informal claim prior to April 12, 2011, and the effective date cannot be earlier than that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pleural plaques are related to his in-service asbestos exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for pterygium, and thus denied his claim.