Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion. The veteran's inservice episodes of heat exhaustion are now considered as potentially related to his current recurring heat exhaustion.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by impairment of vision due to disease or injury incurred in service, and it is not related to any service-connected disability including hypertension or coronary artery disease. Therefore, service connection for this condition was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for residuals of acute catarrhal jaundice. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA records from March 2001 to June 2002, which indicated no current residual conditions related to the veteran's service-connected yellow jaundice in 1942, the Board concludes that there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of residuals. Therefore, the claim for service connection remains denied.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations to determine the nature and extent of the veteran's service-connected peptic ulcer disease, as well as his employability. The case will be returned to the RO for these purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, finding no medical evidence to support a causal link between his current condition and either service or his service-connected pyelitis.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of postoperative residuals of bilateral bunions. The VA doctor's opinion supports the conclusion that the veteran's bunions increased in severity during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an examination to determine if the veteran's current right hand disability is related to his service.

The Board has determined that gum disease, which is not a compensable disability under VA law, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and therefore denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for restoration of additional compensation for a dependent spouse lacks legal merit and is therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a bipartite right patella and memory loss, finding that these conditions are not disabilities resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of whether the overpayment was properly created, including obtaining a current financial status report from the veteran.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as VA records are required to determine the cause of death and whether the veteran was entitled to compensation prior to his death. The issue of entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right thigh shrapnel injury, finding that the residuals consist of moderately severe functional loss of underlying muscle.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has granted service connection for nausea, insomnia, and lack of concentration as due to an undiagnosed illness incurred during the veteran's Southwest Asia Theater of operations service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to hypertensive cardiomyopathy, concluding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran's surviving spouse is granted reimbursement for private medical expenses incurred from May 29, 2000, to June 5, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the veteran's left foot disorder is related to his service.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current peripheral vascular disease and residuals are service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's dementia, loss of taste, and stomach disorders other than gastritis were not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology from service to present.