Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's left hip disability and obtain any relevant VA treatment records. The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for his service-connected left hip lateral abnormality with resultant traumatic arthritis will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the validity of the overpayment debt must be addressed before considering the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of pension benefits. The case is therefore being remanded to conduct a proper audit and determine if the overpayment was properly created.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification of his military service and a hearing before an RO Decision Review Officer.

The Veteran's eligibility for educational assistance benefits for vocational flight training initiated in June 2009 was denied due to not meeting the required medical certification on the first day of training.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for its determination that VA satisfied its duty to assist in the development of the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current basal cell carcinoma is likely due to his sun exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his residuals of a gunshot wound with fracture of left ilium and damage to muscle group XVII, finding that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected pterygium of the right eye does not render him unemployable, as he can still perform his usual occupation despite this condition.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA medical records and SSA disability/SSI benefits records. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this claim as he is no longer alive.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right elbow and hand shrapnel wounds, finding that the disabilities did not warrant evaluations in excess of the current 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer was rated at 40 percent from September 19, 2005 to August 21, 2008 and increased to 60 percent effective August 22, 2008. The claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability is addressed in the REMAND section.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeal of the claims for service connection for joint pain, muscle pain, and skin rash, all to include as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of gunshot wound to the spinal muscles have not met the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bladder disorder, chest pain, exposure to a microscopic virus, general malaise, and left foot strain are not related to his military service.

The Veteran and the appellant were married in August 1996. The Veteran was arrested for aggravated battery (domestic violence) against the appellant, pleaded no contest to a charge of aggravated battery in November 1997, and was sentenced to prison. They separated due to the Veteran's misconduct without fault on the part of the appellant. The appellant is recognized as the surviving spouse for VA benefits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of colon cancer due to asbestos exposure. The evidence now shows that the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during his military service and that his current colon cancer is likely related to this exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left great toe disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was granted with an effective date of December 13, 2007. The Board found that the earlier submission by a veterans service organization did not meet VA requirements and thus denied an earlier effective date.

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot hallux valgus was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a left foot injury. The Board also determined that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected left foot injury residuals.