Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for left ear otitis media and otitis externa is granted, as there is evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for joint pain, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his right leg phlebitis claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. His TDIU claim is also being addressed.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records, as these records are needed for evaluation of pending claims and must be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was a fugitive felon and suspended his compensation benefits from December 27, 2001, to June 16, 2004. The case is being remanded for further action including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for NASH, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected disabilities and medications he took.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. Service-connected PTSD did not cause the Veteran's death but may have contributed substantially or materially to his death. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot as service connection has been granted. Burial benefits are awarded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pancreatic cancer and liver metastases are related to exposure to herbicides, specifically burn pits. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted as of the date of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that he did not provide sufficient information to establish estrangement from his spouse until after filing his application on October 16, 2007.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right distal tibia, finding that there was no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization rendering impractical the application of the regular rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his previous request for a hearing in Washington DC.

The claim for accrued benefits is denied as the application was received more than one year after the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the manifestations and severity of his service-connected epididymitis, left, postoperative, with erectile dysfunction. The claim will be readjudicated following this development.

The Board found that the termination of the Veteran's surviving spouse's death pension benefits was proper and denied the appeal.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for one-time payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund due to a lack of qualifying service as per VA standards.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as appeals do not survive their deaths.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability was granted a 100% evaluation effective March 17, 2000. The claim for increased initial disability ratings and TDIU were also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his service-connected shell fragment wound and arthritis of the hips. Specifically, a new VA examination is required to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected shell fragment wound, as well as whether his bilateral hip arthritis is related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue with the calculation of the appellant's countable income, specifically regarding the deduction of unreimbursed medical expenses (Medicare Part B premiums) for the period from September [redacted], 2009 to January 31, 2011. The RO must provide a detailed explanation as to the method of calculation and the reason(s) for disallowance of these deductions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis (also diagnosed as bronchospasm). The evidence did not establish a link between the current bilateral shin splints and active service.