Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting abdominal disorder did not worsen during her period of active service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant did not have qualifying service for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits and denied his claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse, finding that she was not the lawful spouse at the time of his death and thus did not meet the legal criteria for VA death benefits. The appeal concerning DIC in accordance with 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a T-12 compression fracture, finding that the veteran's preexisting condition existed prior to his second period of active duty and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the current rating decision did not consider all possible theories for service connection, including direct service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion and additional service records.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current lung disorder is related to asbestos exposure during service, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected post-traumatic cephalgia was denied prior to May 9, 2006.,A subsequent decision granted an increased rating of 50 percent effective on May 9, 2006.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal regarding the March 2003 rating decision denying a compensable rating for residuals of a left foot fracture.

The veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and disability due to inservice aggravation of congenital leg length inequality and resulting pelvis tilt, finding no evidence of a current disability or in-service stressor for PTSD, and concluding that there was insufficient medical evidence to support the claim for disability due to inservice aggravation.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder during service or for many years thereafter, and the competent evidence does not establish a nexus between the veteran's current complaints and active duty. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for residuals, status post repair left indirect inguinal hernia and a 20 percent rating for gout, right foot.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral keratoconus disability, finding that his visual acuity did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Codes 6078 or 6079.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35, as there was no evidence to support these claims. The veteran died from multiple organ system failure due to perforated small bowel and radiation enteritis with an underlying condition of colon cancer, which were not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral presbyopia, finding that it is not a disease or injury and did not result from military service.

The Board denied the veteran's surviving spouse's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits, finding that she was not legally married to the veteran at his time of death and thus did not meet the eligibility requirements.

The appellant is not eligible for DIC benefits as the remarried widow of a veteran due to her remarriage prior to age 57, which precludes her entitlement to the benefit.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred in April 2005 was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.