Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board denied the appellant's application for non-service-connected disability pension benefits, finding that he did not have basic eligibility due to lack of recognized service in a regular component of the active military, naval, or air service of the United States Armed Forces.

The veteran's dysthymic disorder was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective September 13, 1996. The RO later increased the rating to 70 percent effective August 25, 2000.,TDIU prior to August 25, 2000 is deferred pending completion of development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right thumb disorder is granted, as there was evidence showing he incurred such a condition during his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefit purposes.

The Board denied service connection for a disorder manifested by pain extending from the left breast to the left arm, finding no evidence of a currently diagnosed disability that originated during service.

The Board has restored the veteran's rating for his service-connected left knee disability from 10 percent to 20 percent effective the date of reduction, finding that there was sustained improvement in his condition.

The Board determined that the appellant did not meet basic eligibility requirements for VA benefits due to a lack of qualifying service, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a head injury, including postoperative subdural hematomas, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fractured left malleolus, finding that he was already receiving the maximum disability evaluation based on limitation of motion. The appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Board finds that the veteran's leukoplakia was not incurred during service or due to any incident of active duty, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant's deceased husband did not have qualifying service as a member of the United States Armed Forces, and thus he is not considered a 'veteran' for purposes of receiving VA benefits. As a result, the appellant's claim for entitlement to VA death benefits must be denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left arm gunshot wound residuals and any related arthritis. The RO will then review the case again based on all available evidence.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as there are no statutory or regulatory entitlements for such payments to the estate of a veteran's widow.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical evidence linking current skin and gastrointestinal disorders to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for cause of death, legal entitlement to accrued benefits, and legal entitlement to non-service-connected death pension benefits due to lack of evidence linking the veteran's death to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for alcoholism and a disability manifested by a chemical imbalance, finding that the veteran's alcoholism was due to his own willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for prostatitis, which was previously denied in March 1984. The veteran's condition is now considered for de novo review.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for an ulcer disorder. The Board finds that the development of the ulcer disease was proximately due to the medication used to treat his service-connected left hip condition, thus granting service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remanded the case for further development. The claim of service connection for bilateral defective vision will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is necessary in this case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the etiology of the veteran's claimed systemic lupus erythematosus.