Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his cardiovascular disabilities, including whether any are related to service-connected conditions or medications. Additionally, the MRSA infection residuals will be evaluated to determine if they were caused by VA carelessness, negligence, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to deduct $100 per month from his disability compensation payment for repayment of an overpayment, finding that a higher amount ($600 per month) was warranted based on VA guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected pilonidal cyst disability requires the use of a prescribed medication that causes irreparable damage to outer garments, and as such, he is entitled to an annual clothing allowance.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension benefits because the Veteran did not have service during a period of war, and no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's daughter, A.D., was not found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday. The evidence showed she had completed high school and college courses with satisfactory grades.

The Board found that the appellant's annual income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a veteran with no dependents, leading to termination of his nonservice-connected pension benefits effective December 1, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing, and he has now requested an in-person hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling this hearing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current facial nerve VII damage is a residual of his in-service parotidectomy, and therefore service connection for residuals, status parotidectomy to include facial nerve VII damage is granted.

The Board has granted an additional 10 percent rating for ulcerative colitis, status post colectomy, bringing the total rating to 60 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current allergic rhino-conjunctivitis is due to eye symptomatology noted during his period of active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability and lower extremity numbness and weakness are related to his service in Vietnam, where he was exposed to herbicides. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by a delay in diagnosis of his sarcoma, which contributed to his untimely demise. The cause of death is therefore service-connected under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's spouse seeks VMLI coverage for the property, but the Veteran was not an obligee under the mortgage. The VA denied the claim as the Veteran died before it could be processed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these additional actions.

The Veteran's right Achilles tendonitis is manifested by limitation of motion that does not more nearly approximate marked than moderate. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's personnel records are needed to make a determination on his claim for basic eligibility for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 33, and has ordered these records to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected varicose veins of the right lower extremity. The claim for service connection for Raynaud's syndrome remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left eye disability that is causally related to his in-service injury, and therefore service connection for this condition cannot be granted.