Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has found that the appellant is entitled to recognition as the surviving spouse of the veteran for purposes of entitlement to VA death benefits, based on her credible testimony regarding the separation caused by the veteran's abuse.

The Board has determined that the veteran's periodontal disease is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sickle cell disease with proteinuria was incurred in active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran is seeking VA healthcare under Chapter 17 of the United States Code Title 38. The Board has determined that an additional remand is required due to the lack of a psychiatric opinion regarding whether the veteran was insane at the time of his separation from service.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 15, 2000 for service connection of a dysthymic disorder was not properly raised prior to this date.

The VA determined that the veteran's left hip disability, currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded this case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing gastrointestinal disorder (now diagnosed as Crohn's Disease) did not permanently worsen during military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The VA surgery performed on the veteran's left hand did not result in additional disability, and therefore compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chest pain is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hiatal hernia with gastric ulcers warrants a 20 percent rating, reflecting moderate symptoms with recurring episodes of severe symptoms two or three times a year averaging 10 days in duration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hiatal hernia was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any diagnosed illness. As a result, the claim for service connection for a hiatal hernia is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and SSA records not being obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any asbestos-related disabilities, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a disability manifested by chronic cough and frequent respiratory infections, or osteoporosis. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor. The claim was denied.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's gastrointestinal disability is attributable to an undiagnosed illness arising from his service in the Gulf War.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective May 29, 2003 and awarded TDIU effective May 29, 2003. The veteran's panic disorder with agoraphobia is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The veteran's claim for non-service connected VA pension was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The VA denied an increased rating for recurrent aseptic meningitis, currently rated at 40 percent.