Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's death is not service-connected, but the surviving spouse is denied DIC benefits as they do not meet the criteria for total disability due to service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's myasthenia gravis did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to his military service, including as due to herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for myasthenia gravis was denied.

The Board denied service connection for gout, colorectal cancer, and benign prostate hypertrophy (claimed as a prostate ailment) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's combined disability rating was set at 80 percent effective August 11, 2008.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left heel disability, which he claims was incurred during active military service. The VA has requested additional medical examination and treatment records to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition.

The Veteran's death was not due to service-connected causes, and the appellant is not entitled to a plot or interment allowance as she has not paid for reopening the private cemetery plot where her father's remains are stored.

The Veteran's death was caused by cerebral vascular accident hemorrhage due to congestive heart failure, both of which are not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's meralgia paresthetica of the right leg was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied her claim.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment of a right hip fracture incurred at a private in-patient facility between January 9, 2009 and January 21, 2009 were denied as the treatment was not authorized by VA.

The Board found that the appellant did not make an irrevocable election for educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill program in lieu of benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill program, and denied reimbursement for the Study Abroad Program in Mexico.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral posterior crossbite, with minimal occlusal contact in the left quadrant and no occlusal contact in the right quadrant, was caused by his April 1997 in-service Le Fort I osteotomy. The surgery overcorrected a pre-existing malocclusion problem, resulting in current bite issues.

The retroactive award of compensation benefits for the period from December 1, 2006 to August 1, 2007 was correctly calculated and paid.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of waiver of overpayment, and as a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA pension benefits was denied due to a timing issue. The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits was received by VA on October 26, 2009. The commencing date of the award cannot be earlier than one year prior to this date due to delays caused by other organizations. Therefore, the appeal is denied.

The appellant requested to withdraw his appeal regarding whether the character of his service constitutes a bar to VA benefits. As a result, the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as respiratory failure, urinary tract infection, and small bowel obstruction with the underlying cause being pancreatic cancer. The Board notes that the Veteran had been exposed to ionizing radiation during his military service which may be related to his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of the PWO-104 Certified Wireless Network Administrator test certification is being remanded to the RO due to additional evidence received after the July 2010 statement of the case.

The Veteran's pleural plaques due to asbestos exposure with pulmonary problems have not met the criteria for a compensable rating prior to August 22, 2009, or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining alternate evidence from collateral sources. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a pulmonary disability and lipomas are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.