Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that she did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the September 1977 rating decision denying her initial claim. The earliest possible effective date is March 10, 2005, which was one year prior to when she filed a request to reopen her previously denied claim.

The Veteran's current earaches are not related to service, including noise exposure and ear infections. The Board finds that the weight of evidence is against a finding of service connection for otalgia (earaches).

The Veteran's right eye cataract surgery resulted in a posterior chamber tear and vitreous prolapse, requiring multiple surgeries. The VA medical center reported that the phacoemulsification machine malfunctioned during the procedure. The case is being remanded to determine if this malfunctioning was an unforeseeable event.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral foot fungus, to include onychomycosis, and finds that new evidence submitted since the last final denial supports a finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected colon cancer, but the VA treatment in 1994 may have contributed to his condition. The Board will decide whether the VA care was substandard and led directly to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck injury and bilateral leg pain are related to service, but there is no current diagnosis of a head injury.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's current right hand condition and his military service, including an in-service injury. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for leucopenia/leukemia due to exposure to ionizing radiation or chemicals during service was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year following discharge and the condition does not qualify under presumptive provisions. The Board found that direct service connection could not be established.

The Veteran's current eye disabilities, including bilateral brow ptosis, dermatochalasis, corneal defects, and entropion, are related to in-service flash burns to the eyes. The Board has granted service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current speech impediment was not aggravated by active duty service and is not proximately caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for onychomycosis has been denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's daughter is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code because she was over 26 years old at the time her father became permanently and totally disabled.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a need for updated VA treatment records and an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran died from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease as a significant condition contributing to his death. The cause of death is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining records of his treatment by Dr. B.D.K., and a VA examination to assess the nature, activity, and severity of his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for dental trauma, including loss of tooth # 29. However, the appellant does not have a dental condition resulting from in-service trauma or disease.

The Veteran's common variable immunodeficiency was initially manifested in service by episodes of sinusitis and varicella infection with varicella pneumonia. The Board finds that the preponderance of competent medical evidence shows this condition was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's right hip fracture was not caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an enlarged heart and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran died before his VA special monthly pension benefits were paid into the joint account of the appellant and the Veteran. The benefits were subsequently canceled due to the death, leaving no accrued benefits for reimbursement.