Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed skin disorders, as well as the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, claimed as due to ionizing radiation exposure during military service, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 was established in August 1996. The appellant, the Veteran's spouse, filed her initial claim for education benefits in December 2008 after the delimiting date of August 2006. The case is being remanded to allow the Regional Office to review additional medical evidence submitted by the appellant's accredited representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dry eye and photophobia are related to service, including his deployment in Iraq.

The Board has reopened the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits, but denied the claim as the appellant does not meet the criteria for surviving spouse status.

The Veteran's claim for VA Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits was denied because his creditable service did not meet the required 30 days of continuous active duty service under 38 C.F.R. § 21.9520(b). The Board finds that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's claim, including obtaining his service personnel records and a copy of any relevant VA Policy Advisory.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for payment of dependents' educational assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, prior to February 8, 2010. The decision states that the appellant did not apply for benefits before February 8, 2011 and that VA had provided her with incorrect information which she relied on.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a chronic gynecologic disorder, finding that her symptoms are related to her military service and resolving any doubt in her favor.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including chronic scleroderma, pulmonary disorder, connective tissue disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and granulomatous disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, heart palpitations, and lymphomas were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Heberden's node of the right middle finger was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and is not proximately due to or caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to appear at a hearing before a member of the Board. The claim is not about service connection, but rather whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen an existing claim.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a claim for eligibility for VA outpatient dental treatment for periodontal disease, as it is also a claim for VA dental examination or outpatient dental treatment.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for fracture of the left first and second toes from 10 percent to noncompensable was improper, and restored a 10 percent rating effective May 1, 2008.

The Veteran's military service does not meet the threshold requirements for VA non-service-connected pension benefits due to lack of wartime service.

The Veteran's initial rating for residuals of a right thumb ligament injury before May 26, 2009 was denied. From May 26, 2009, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5228 (limitation of motion of the thumb) is assigned.

The Board found that the appellant and the Veteran were not in a marriage prior to October 2007, which did not meet the criteria for eligibility as an eligible surviving spouse for VA death benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct, including assault on fellow Marines, possession of marijuana, and being absent from an appointed place of duty. As a result, his character of discharge is considered a bar to VA benefits.