Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a head trauma, including headaches, and spinal stenosis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain clinical records from his in-service hospitalizations and to provide the veteran with an examination to determine if any current lumbar spine disorder, including spinal stenosis, is causally related to service.

The VA determined that the appellant's deceased husband had no service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, he cannot be considered a veteran for purposes of establishing basic eligibility for VA benefits, including death pension benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen his claim for basic eligibility for VA disability benefits due to lack of new and material evidence, as no verified service was found by the United States service department.

The veteran's service with the Philippine Army (USAFFE) from December 1941 to April 1945 was verified by the service department. However, this does not meet the eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits under Title 38, Chapter 15 of the United States Code.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen his basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of new and material evidence, as all submitted evidence was either cumulative or did not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.

The VA denied the appellant's request for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35, Title 38 of the United States Code for a course at Alternative Certification for Teachers (ACT) in San Antonio, Texas. The school was not approved for VA benefits and there is no information indicating eligibility for other programs.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of otitis media related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's post traumatic stress disorder was initially denied for the period from January 31, 2005 to March 25, 2006. However, after receiving treatment and a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder in March 2006, his condition improved significantly enough that he is now granted a 50% evaluation starting from March 26, 2006.

The veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for receiving more than 9 months of educational assistance under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code.

The veteran's appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left foot disorder, residuals of a stab wound to the back, and a rash of the back was dismissed due to lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a splenectomy, claimed as a missing spleen, is being remanded due to the need for additional records and medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to the VAMC for further development and consideration of the claim, including addressing the Millenium Health Care Act.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA benefits due to a lack of verified military service with the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Board found that the appellant's right eye disorder, including his cataract and subsequent retinal tear, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a left elbow fracture is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity and all manifestations of his disability, including functional impairment caused by pain.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering the applicability of 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his service or any service-connected condition. The appeal is based on the veteran's belief that his current gastrointestinal problems are due to his right testicular cancer and/or PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's back injury, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa of the left axilla results in scars with underlying soft tissue damage, and assigns a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a hysterectomy and residuals therefrom, finding that the veteran's gynecological disorders are related to her military service. The increased evaluation and temporary total disability rating claims are also remanded.