Other conditions decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for tinnitus or defective hearing.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse, finding that she was not married to the veteran at the time of his death and did not meet the requirements for a surviving spouse under VA regulations.

The RO granted service connection for the veteran's fractured left clavicle with a zero percent evaluation. The veteran is seeking a compensable rating, and additional medical records are needed to support this claim.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it found that VA's determination not to take an assignment of a guaranteed loan in default is not within the jurisdictional authority of the Board.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the Mountain Home VAMC's decision to approve payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred in conjunction with treatment at a private hospital from January 20 to January 24, 2002, has been fully resolved and thus rendered moot.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence, including service personnel records. The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammertoe deformity remains under review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable disability rating for his service-connected gunshot wound to the pancreas, deep vein thrombosis of the left thigh, and splenic artery aneurysm.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right leg disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and retrieval of additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right middle finger disability did not originate in service and is not otherwise causally related to his military service, including any trauma he may have sustained. As a result, the claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the right middle finger was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to missing records and the need for further review of the veteran's skin problems. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the veteran's ulcerative colitis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that pancreatic cancer was not due to or contributed substantially and materially to his death. The cause of death was listed as pancreatic cancer.

The VA has assigned a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of bursitis of the left shoulder, with limitation of motion and hypertrophic arthritis. The current disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not involve unfavorable ankylosis.

The veteran's claim for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits was denied as he did not have qualifying wartime service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and a need for additional evidence, including SSA records. The veteran's right knee disorder is being evaluated further.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current spinal disability originated during active service and is related to his participation in football at the Naval Academy. As a result, the claim for service connection for spinal disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's eye and sinus disabilities as well as any residuals from tick bites.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right thigh disorder, currently rated at 10 percent. The RO found that the current residuals of the shell fragment wound to the right thigh do not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected duodenal ulcer is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.