Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for urethritis, which was previously denied in February 2003. The Veteran is found to have presented credible lay assertions sufficient to establish a continuity of symptomatology referable to symptoms of urethritis while in active service and since separation from active service.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's inguinal hernia and his service, including any in-service injury or disease. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for legal entitlement to the one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to a lack of qualified service.

The Board has determined that the original grant of service connection for residuals of thoracic fusion with scoliosis was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to preexisting conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of a VHA opinion, as notification to the Veteran was not provided.

The Board determined that the Veteran's transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) on March 15, 2006 made him ineligible for Chapter 1607 educational benefits. As a result, VA stopped paying these benefits and adjusted his delimiting date accordingly. This led to an overpayment of $5,674.90 which was subsequently offset by other benefits, leaving the Veteran with a valid debt that cannot be waived.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin condition manifested by tinea versicolor is related to his active service and grants this claim. The muscle and joint pain claim remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to grant service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal because he did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the June 2005 decision denying his request for waiver of overpayment of disability compensation benefits.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for his left foot disability is granted from June 18, 2006 to May 24, 2011. An increased rating of 10 percent is granted from May 25, 2011 forward (excluding a period when a 100% evaluation was assigned).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an echocardiogram and a contrast-enhanced CT of the chest. The Veteran's private treatment records are also to be obtained.

The Veteran's shell fragment wounds to the left upper extremity resulted in a 30 percent rating, with separate ratings for muscle injuries and amputation of the little finger. The decision grants these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol and substance abuse is related to his service-connected major depressive disorder, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disability and higher initial rating for TMJ. The case is being remanded to obtain relevant treatment records from private providers.

The Veteran's left lower extremity numbness is rated at a 10 percent evaluation, effective September 27, 2004. The claim for an earlier effective date was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA medical examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining financial information from the Veteran to determine his employment status. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for pancreatic and liver cancer, which was dismissed by the Board.

The Veteran's basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was granted based on permanent and total disability. However, the appellant is not eligible for DEA benefits as she turned 26 years old before the effective date of the finding of permanent and total disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his intervertebral disk syndrome, bulging disk L5-S1 was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further examination and development of facts.