Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed right index finger, left eye, or right eye injuries sustained in service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's cause of death, ischemic left middle cerebral artery infarct and ischemic cerebral vascular disease, are not service-connected as they did not result from his active military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied DIC benefits for the appellant as she is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse due to her divorce from the Veteran prior to his death and her subsequent remarriage.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia and bilateral leg condition, but denied reopening of the claim for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the case is not yet ready for appellate review and requires further development, including a complete review of all submitted evidence, an analysis of whether a waiver request was timely filed, and accurate accounting of the debt.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability. The decision on this issue is pending further action by the RO. For other issues, including increased rating for left hip bursitis and service connection for various conditions, an updated VA examination is needed to address current symptomatology and relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his requested hearing. The case will be returned to the original jurisdiction for further action.

The appellant's claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits was not timely filed, as it was received more than two years after the Veteran's burial. As a result, the claim is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lung disorder manifested by shortness of breath is denied as there is no evidence that his current condition is causally related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need to assess his service-connected conditions, including organic brain syndrome and chronic laryngitis. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for blepharitis and left heel bone spur, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a video-conference hearing. The effective date of pension benefits remains unresolved.

The Board found that the appellant did not meet the criteria to be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes, thus denying her claim for DIC benefits.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides during his service at the perimeter of U-Tapao Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on July 23, 2012 was granted. The Board found that the treatment was related to a service-connected disability and rendered in a medical emergency with no feasibly available VA facilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 was denied as he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements prior to February 1, 2011.

The Board denied the Appellant's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities and traumatic brain injury due to his bad conduct discharge from the Air Force, finding that he was not insane at the time of his offenses.

The Veteran died of a nonservice-connected cause and was not in receipt of VA compensation or pension at the time of his death. The appellant's claim for burial benefits is denied as she does not meet the eligibility requirements under current laws.

The Veteran died of aspiration pneumonia due to Shy-Drager syndrome, which is not service-connected and not presumed to be caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board finds that the appellant is entitled to recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes, based on her testimony and supporting statements indicating she was not at fault in the separation from the Veteran prior to his death.