Charlotte Reliford v. Robert A. McDonald

KASOLD, Chief Judge:

Mrs. Charlotte Reliford, surviving spouse of veteran Billy M. Reliford, appeals through counsel a September 18, 2013, decision of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) that treated Mrs. Reliford as a substitute beneficiary under 38 U.S.C. § 5121A and denied benefits for Mr. Reli-ford’s scoliosis, hypertension, and disabilities secondary to scoliosis or hypertension because they were not service connected. Mrs. Reliford argues that the Board erred by processing her claim for accrued benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 5121 as a request for substitution in her deceased husband’s…