Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his fatal myocardial infarction, which was the cause of death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The veteran died in September 1988, and the appellant filed her claim for VA benefits more than one year after his death. The appeal is denied as there was no pending claim at the time of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus warrants a rating of 60 percent, effective November 27, 2000. The condition is manifested by symptoms equating to exacerbations lasting a week or more two to three times per year.

The Board has granted service connection for a schizoaffective disorder, finding that the veteran's current mental disability began during his military service. The other issues regarding fatigue and gastrointestinal disorders due to an undiagnosed illness are not addressed as they are considered 'unknown' in terms of their disposition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic-stress-disorder must be remanded due to incomplete verification of his military service and lack of service medical records. The RO is instructed to verify the veteran's service in Korea, obtain any available stressor information from him, and arrange for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and treatment records, requiring further development of the claim.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence did not relate the cause of the veteran's death to his military service.

The RO has denied the appellant's claim for death benefits as a surviving spouse due to her not meeting legal requirements. The case is being remanded for further action, including scheduling an appropriate hearing.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and a social and industrial survey.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), was not caused by or related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen for eligibility to VA benefits due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand disorder and determined that new evidence supports this reopening. The Board also found that the current condition is not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the hands, finding no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for pseudoaphakia of the right eye.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the appellant's claim for the proceeds of her deceased husband's NSLI policy. The ROIC denied the appellant's entitlement to the proceeds in September 1995, but did not provide a specific reason.

The veteran's claim for disability compensation due to a shortened penis with dysfunction resulting from treatment at a VA medical facility in 1993 is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing and a neck disorder, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's schizoaffective disorder was rated at 70 percent from the date of service connection to April 3, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed stomach disorder and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The veteran's death was caused by metastatic lung carcinoma, which the appellant contends is related to nicotine dependence acquired in service. The Board has requested a VA medical opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's lung cancer and death were due to nicotine dependence acquired during his military service.