Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for eligibility to participate in the On the Job Training Program with Plano Police Department after May 21, 2008 is being remanded due to new evidence submitted since the January 2009 SOC. The RO will consider this additional evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case if necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA from 1948 through 1950. The appellant's claim will be reviewed by a VA examiner to determine if the Veteran's crush injury contributed substantially or materially to his pneumonia death.

The appellant's appeal for the full amount of Chapter 35 educational allowance is denied as she is enrolled in a school located in the Republic of the Philippines, and payments are made at half the authorized rate.

The Veteran's eligibility for educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill is denied as he did not meet the requirements of the law, specifically failing to contribute to a Post-Vietnam Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP).

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and granted it, finding that there is evidence of a current disability related to an in-service disease.

The Board is remanding the case to verify the Veteran's service in Vietnam and obtain his SSA records. Additionally, a VA medical examiner will be requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's cause of death - myocardial infarction - is related to his military service or if it falls under the definition of ischemic heart disease as defined by 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).

The Board has determined that further development is needed to accurately assess the appellant's income and entitlement to death pension benefits, including her Social Security Administration benefits.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence linking his death to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the removal of his number 8 tooth was denied as there is no evidence of in-service trauma or injury.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's headaches have not met criteria for an initial compensable evaluation or one in excess of 30 percent as of November 16, 2009. His vertigo with mild vestibular symptoms has been rated at 10 percent since April 2, 2004. His lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for secondary service connection for a low back condition has been granted.

The Board is remanding the case for scheduling a live teleconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the service-connected varicose veins of the right lower extremity, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the right leg, status post vein ligation, are currently rated at 40 percent disabling.,Prior to March 25, 2010, the Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg were rated at 10 percent. From March 25, 2010, they warrant a rating of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely suffered from cold injuries to his feet during service, and these residuals are related to his period of service. As a result, the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's left foot tendon rupture with acquired flat foot, status-post surgical repair, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling from May 25, 2010. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms and examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected bursitis of the right knee is rated at 10 percent, effective November 19, 2005. Service connection for residuals of a right hip flexor strain has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a head injury related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder was not shown to have manifested within one year of his separation from service or be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board found the January 2009 independent dosage assessment more probative than the September 2009 private assessment.