Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by VA dental treatment, and therefore DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to his current condition.

The Board determined that the appellant's substantive appeal was untimely filed, and thus lacks jurisdiction to consider the claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, accrued benefits, and nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as it was not filed within one year of the surviving spouse's death, and there were no pending claims or entitlement to additional benefits at that time.

The veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection of periodontal disease, and the Board has remanded the case back to the RO for consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for anal fistula, which more closely approximates the veteran's disability picture. The issue of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to lack of a statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper VCAA notification.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for further development.

The veteran's widow is appealing for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, which were awarded on December 2, 2003. The appeal includes a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the November 1983 rating decision that denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection of a respiratory disorder and dental disorder, but did not decide whether these claims were well-grounded or granted service connection.

The VA has denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, currently rated at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and unassociated records.

The Board found that the veteran was entitled to an effective date of April 27, 1995 for a 40 percent rating and denied earlier effective dates. The 60 percent rating was also granted with an effective date of September 30, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and considering service connection claims for hearing loss, balance issues, and cerebellar atrophy with ataxia as residuals of a head injury. The increased rating claim will be reconsidered under Diagnostic Code 8045.

The veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracic and lumbar spine was manifested by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome prior to May 1, 2004. The disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking the lung cancer to military service or any incident therein.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current memory loss and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is reasonably attributable to service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current cardiac disorder did not arise during service or within a year of separation, and is not related to his in-service heart-related symptoms. The preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for this condition.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from December 30, 2000 to January 1, 2001 were not authorized in advance and are not covered by his service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim as there was no authorization for the treatment.