Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death. The DIC benefits claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was also denied as there were no findings indicating the veteran had a total disability rating due to his service-connected conditions for at least ten years prior to his death.

The Board found that the appellant knowingly submitted false statements to secure VA benefits, leading to a forfeiture of her rights and claims under all laws administered by VA.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred in connection with dental services rendered by Todd A. Schock, M.D., D.M.D., on June 26, 2003, finding that the services were not rendered in a medical emergency and thus did not meet the criteria for VA payment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for gunshot wound residuals of the right lower extremity and for SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(s) for the period between April 21, 1970, and March 1, 1984.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 15, 1998 for a 10 percent rating for hiatal hernia. The earliest evidence of 10 percent disabling symptoms was in August 1998.

The veteran has been granted service connection for actinic keratoses, a skin condition, due to sun exposure during his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a left testicle disability and assigned an initial 10 percent rating, effective March 31, 1997. The veteran's right testicle disability was previously rated as part of his left testicle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether separate ratings are warranted prior to February 13, 2003 and for compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, polymyositis and rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure, are not service-connected as they were neither initially manifested during service nor proximately caused by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied an extra-schedular rating for the veteran's service-connected spondylolysis of L-5, finding that his disability does not present an exceptional or unusual picture with marked interference with employment.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse, finding that a valid marriage existed until the veteran's death and served as a legal impediment to the appellant's subsequent attempt at marriage. The appellant's attempted marriage cannot be deemed valid because a claim has been filed by the appellee (the veteran's current recognized surviving spouse).

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for psoriatic arthritis of the left thumb since August 26, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's dental disability was not caused by VA treatment and denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that a timely Substantive Appeal was not filed for the claim of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for vocal cord paralysis with hoarseness and swallowing problems. As such, the appeal is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, finding no evidence of any current skin conditions in service or thereafter that are related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board concluded that there is no competent medical evidence linking any current skin conditions to his period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for a skin disorder and pityriasis rosea, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran's service connection claims for brain damage and a mental disorder, claimed as due to carbon monoxide poisoning, were denied. The claim was based on direct evidence showing no relationship between his in-service exposure and current conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current duodenal ulcer and sigmoid colon diverticulitis are not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for gastroduodenal pathology with residuals of hemicolectomy for colon polyps is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining pertinent VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's neck disorder is related to her service.