Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for additional educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was denied as he has already received a maximum allowable aggregate of 48 months of benefits.

The Veteran's claim for more than 48 months of combined VA education benefits is denied as the law does not allow for such a benefit given his existing entitlement.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 12, 2010, for the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was denied as there is no evidence that he required daily personal health-care services in his home before this date.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation benefits in the amount of $1,229.70 due to VA's failure to timely adjust the Veteran's benefits despite adequate notice of his change in enrollment.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical services provided by Munroe Regional Medical Center is granted as the criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 and 38 C.F.R. §§ 17.1000-1002 have been met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA purposes.

The Veteran's decreased sensation in the right lower extremity has resulted in mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, warranting a 10% rating.,The Veteran's shin splints of both legs have not resulted in any clinically diagnosed disability or impairment that would justify an increased rating.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at MRMC on January 13, 2010 are denied as the services were not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination. The issues include bilateral myopia and left eye retinal detachment as well as depression secondary to these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right finger or thumb disability, and there is no chronic in-service injury or symptomatology. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for diffuse fibrocalcific lung disease with pleural apical thickening was granted at a 30 percent rating from October 25, 2002 to September 30, 2009. For the period since October 1, 2009, his disability remains rated at 30 percent.

The claim of service connection for vitiligo was previously denied in December 1964 due to the condition being considered a congenital disorder. New evidence received since January 1996 did not provide new and material information that could reopen the claim.

The Board denied service-connection for Leber's optic atrophy, concluding that it was a congenital or developmental abnormality and not a disability within the meaning of the law.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have pneumoconiosis or bullous emphysema due to service, as his symptoms predate his military service and are more likely related to post-service treatment. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for musculoskeletal pain, short-term memory loss, and fatigue have been denied as there is no qualifying chronic disability manifested by these conditions that became manifest during active military service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin and right finger disorders did not meet the criteria for service connection as they were not shown to be chronic in service or continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected myositis ossificans and for obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board denied reopening the claim for residuals of perforated tympanic membranes in January 1997. New evidence received since then does not provide new and material information to support this claim.

The Veteran's son is permanently incapable of self-support due to physical and mental disabilities, meeting the criteria for a helpless child prior to turning 18 years old. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran.