Other conditions decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for diverticulosis, which is claimed as secondary to the veteran's service-connected recurrent epigastric pain (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

The veteran's claim for service connection for abdominal pain was denied as there is no current identifiable disease process or disability.,The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with depression was also denied because no document of record may be construed as a claim for service connection prior to April 8, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the hips, hands and right elbow as there was no current diagnosis related to service.

The veteran's service in the Philippine Scouts does not qualify for eligibility to nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's ependymoma at C5 is attributable to his military service, specifically to his exposure to ionizing radiation during active duty.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination and clarification of representation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a video conference hearing. The claims for service connection and reopening of previous claims are pending.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for non-service-connected death pension benefits as the decedent served with the New Philippine Scouts, which is not considered active military service for purposes of entitlement to such benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining terminal hospital records, Social Security Disability benefits records, and medical records from Dr. Rothenberger and PMA Medical Specialists.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim of entitlement to legal recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to make a decision on the claim, including needing an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's bilateral defective vision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ear disorder, specifically chronic suppurative otitis media. The evidence did not support continuity of symptoms or a direct link between active service and current condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left eye blindness and vitiligo are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation on account of a dependent spouse was denied as the evidence of dependency status was not provided within one year of notification of the rating decision granting the qualifying disability.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses on June 29, 2006 is denied because the treatment was not for an emergency condition and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The veteran's request for a hearing has been scheduled, but he failed to appear. The case is being remanded due to the failure to attend the hearing.

The veteran's death was not due to service-connected disabilities, and he did not meet the statutory duration requirements for a total disability rating at the time of his death. The claim is denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's request for apportionment of the veteran's benefits on behalf of their minor child due to the appellant's reported monthly income exceeding her expenses, indicating no financial hardship.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an eye disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.