Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right thigh SFW has been rated at 10 percent since June 2009. The VA examiner found no significant general occupational effects or any effect on usual daily activity due to the injury, and concluded that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 27, 2009, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability. The decision is based on the fact that there was no increase in disability within one year prior to the filing of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for clonus of the bilateral lower extremities and a stomach condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the former claim. The Veteran's stomach condition was also not found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering whether an amputation of the right index finger would be equally well served by the service-connected disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for one-time payment from the FVEC as he had no service in the United States Armed Forces, including recognized guerrillas.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for peptic ulcer disease and granted it, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran's history of ulcers preexisted service, but there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that his condition was aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an opinion on whether the Veteran's loss of smell and taste is related to service or secondary to his service-connected chronic rhinosinusitis. The examiner must also address potential effects of in-service exposure to petroleum products.

The Board has determined that the appellant's net worth did not constitute a bar to payment of death pension with aid and attendance from May 12, 2006, until March 14, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of additional compensation for his spouse was granted, with the effective date set at September 1, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected left lateral tibial plateau fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for coccidioidomycosis and bilateral blindness, both of which are found to be related to active military service. The Veteran's current conditions are considered direct service connections.

The Board has expanded the claim on appeal to include a respiratory disorder, specifically allergic rhinitis, and is remanding the case for additional development including obtaining VA records from Tampa and Orlando VAMCs.

The Veteran and the Appellant were divorced in May 2010. The Appellant's claim for apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits was denied as she is not eligible for an apportionment after her divorce, which was final on May 6, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability in July 2007 and did not receive an appeal. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to the unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, as it is cumulative of previous evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he has no legal entitlement to additional VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code (Post-9/11 GI Bill).

The Board has determined that the reduction of VA death pension benefits due to countable income was proper as of August 1, 2008 and denied the appeal.

The appellant's claim for basic eligibility to VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 of Title 38, United States Code is denied due to his discharge from service being a bad conduct discharge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain a copy of the July 10, 2010 administrative decision on educational assistance benefits and additional service personnel records.

The Veteran's compensable rating for bilateral keratoconus is denied as his corrected vision is 20/40 or better, bilaterally.