Other conditions Board decisions

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

The Veteran incurred unauthorized medical expenses for treatment on December 22, 2004. The Board found that the care was rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available, thus meeting the criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728.

The appellant is not the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death pension, DIC, and accrued benefit purposes.

The Veteran's spouse is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35 of Title 38 due to the expiration of her eligibility period and failure to apply for an extension.

The Board found that the Veteran's elevated cholesterol, blood enzymes and muscle enzymes are laboratory findings and not disabilities for VA compensation purposes. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA pension benefits was denied by the Committee on Waivers and Compromises. The case is being remanded to the RO due to missing documents and incomplete information.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's request for an extension of his delimiting date for Montgomery GI Bill education benefits was denied as none of the criteria for extension were met. The Board found that the legal requirements governing the payment of VA education benefits are specific and unambiguous, and thus the claim must be denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for residuals of broken fingers of the left hand. The Veteran's current left hand disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of ulcerative colitis was granted, with the effective date set at April 25, 2005.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify Dr. T.-H.'s March 2003 medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's knee complaints and her service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board determined that recovery of the loan guaranty indebtedness in the amount of $24,952.27, plus interest would not be against equity and good conscience due to fault on the part of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining specific information about the Veteran's presence in Nagasaki and determining whether he participated in a radiation risk activity. The issue of service connection is being addressed based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hernia disability was manifested by post-operative recurrent bilateral hernias that were readily reducible and well-supported by a truss. The Board found no evidence of the hernias recurring or not being well-supported, thus denying an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's congenital cystic fibrosis was aggravated during his active duty service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right brachial plexus injury is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records from the Neurological Associates, as requested in a March 2011 notice letter. The case will be processed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.158(a) if the Veteran does not respond with the necessary information.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed disorder of the legs, and there is no evidence linking any current leg pain to service. The back disorder was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed chronic sinus disorder is not related to his active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his post-operative appendectomy intestinal obstruction with gangrenous small bowel is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a digestive disorder, claimed as secondary to his PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of Social Security Administration records.