Other conditions decisions — 2004

The veteran seeks service connection for myeloproliferative disorder, which he contends is related to radiation exposure during active duty. The case is being remanded due to the need for more specific information about his current medical condition and because notice under the VCAA was not provided as required.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for further medical examination.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current disability associated with head and facial injury sustained in service, including injuries to the back and mouth. Therefore, service connection for residuals of head trauma was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and accrued benefits, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between any service-connected disability and the veteran's death.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination and missing employment impact documentation. An additional VA examination is needed, along with further development regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for status post excision of left heel hyperkeratosis due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial in April 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claim that his unreimbursed medical expenses for 1999 were reported in a timely manner, as he did not submit the report within the required timeframe.

The Board finds that the appellant can be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse based on a deemed valid marriage due to her continuous cohabitation with him, despite his prior legal marriage.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of gunshot wounds to both arms do not warrant a higher disability rating based on current evidence. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has denied payment of DIC benefits to the veteran's surviving spouse for the month she died, as DIC benefits are only payable to dependents and not to veterans during their lifetime.

The Board found that the decedent did not have qualifying service for VA benefits and denied the appellant's claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for cause of death due to withdrawal by the appellant. The claim of eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 is denied as there was no permanent total disability at the time of the veteran's death or died due to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the cause of death, acute cardiac event leading to congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation, was not caused or contributed substantially by any service-connected conditions. The veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed insufficient to have accelerated his death.

The veteran did not meet the service requirements for nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and thus his widow's claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notification and missing records, particularly regarding Agent Orange exposure. The service connection claim for cause of death is pending.

The veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service or a service-connected disability, leading to a denial of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for hypertriglyceridemia, finding that it is not a disability for which service connection can be established.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current chronic condition to his service, including any herbicide exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for retroactive educational assistance benefits due to a lack of entitlement under VA regulations, which prohibit awards prior to one year from the date of application or enrollment certification.