Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical development regarding his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran died in July 2004 and the appellant applied for burial benefits. The Board found that the veteran was not entitled to these benefits as he did not meet any of the criteria set by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the appellant had knowledge of a legal impediment to her purported common-law marriage with the veteran, and whether she should be recognized as his surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of aneurysm in aorta with replacement or residuals of aneurysms in both legs due to service, and these conditions are not secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board found no evidence of an adverse drug reaction during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of brain trauma.

The Board has ordered additional development to gather medical records and conduct a VA examination for the veteran's claims of service connection for dizziness, fatigue, muscle pain, and joint pain.

The appellant's service with the Philippine Army is not considered qualifying service for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of documentation from the service department.

The veteran's service did not occur during a recognized period of war, making him ineligible for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The veteran is granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent for his service-connected myeloproliferative disorder with thrombocytosis from January 13, 2000 to July 13, 2004.

The veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and notification, including informing the appellant of what evidence is needed to reopen her claim.

The veteran died of a nonservice-connected condition and is buried in a private cemetery. The appellant's claims for nonservice-connected burial benefits and accrued benefits are denied as the veteran did not meet the criteria for these benefits at the time of his death.

The veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits for his on-the-job police officer training program from June 20, 2001 to June 20, 2003 is denied as there is no basis upon which to grant the benefits under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's medical treatment at Mercy Medical Center on September 7 to September 8, 2003 was for a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health and VA facilities were not feasibly available. Therefore, payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred during this period is granted.

The veteran's right thumb fracture is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for varicose veins of both legs, finding that there is no evidence of persistent edema or subcutaneous induration, stasis pigmentation or eczema, and persistent ulceration.

The VA determined that the veteran's current dental disability is not related to his service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's memory problems are not due to an undiagnosed illness, but rather a symptom of her diagnosed psychiatric condition (not service-connected). Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination to determine the severity of the veteran's right groin flap revision residuals and their impact on his ability to work.

The veteran claims that VA-prescribed medication caused him to develop a self-mutilation disorder. The Board finds additional development is necessary, including obtaining treatment records and an opinion from Dr. Lader.