Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran seeks payment for a licensing and certification test provided by the Army Corps of Engineers. The case is REMANDED to determine if the training course qualifies as a 'licensure test' offered by a Federal, State, or local government.

The appellant's service does not meet the eligibility requirements for VA home loan benefits due to serving less than 24 months of continuous active duty.

The Veteran's income exceeds the limit for receiving improved pension benefits based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person.

The Board determined that the appellant was legally entitled to overpayment of death pension benefits in the amount of $6,205 for the period from November 1, 2008 to November 1, 2009, and therefore the debt was not validly created.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment for burns was not covered by VA because he had no prior VA healthcare services within the 24-month period before the emergency treatment. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's additional stomach disability is caused by VA treatment and the proximate cause of the disability was carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic gastritis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and proper notification of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disorder is related to his service-connected residuals of a fracture to the left tibia and fibula with left ankle arthritis, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hammertoes of the right third, fourth, and fifth post-operative toes has been granted with an effective date of June 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity varicose veins have been granted a 20 percent rating, effective October 2008. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for scars of the lower extremities was remanded and is pending further development. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current eye disorders, including retinal detachment of the right eye and left eye disorder, are not related to service or any service-connected disability. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to Agent Orange exposure, diabetes mellitus, or in-service events.

The Veteran's right and left foot injuries are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, reflecting moderate impairment. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran is entitled to an initial 40 percent rating for dysthymic disorder, effective October 28, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lower back pain, status post L4-5 fusion, is rated at the highest available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The other issues are not addressed as they do not involve service connection.

The Veteran's elbow joint problems and chronic skin rash are service-connected, but his memory loss is not. The skin condition was related to service, while the elbow issues were not shown to be due to a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for conjunctivitis and stomach disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's loss of bladder sensation, attributed to a hernia repair during active service, is found to have been incurred in service and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development of her claims for service connection for various conditions, including an eye disorder, breast disorder, and gynecological disorder. Her claim for a higher rating for PTSD with polysubstance abuse in full sustained remission remains under review.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain VA treatment records and provide an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's fatal conditions and his service, including exposure to herbicides. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disability of dizziness and motion sickness is not related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury, post concussion and contusion brain syndrome.