Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Board finds no current disability with which any in-service event or injury may be related, as there are no disabilities manifested by laboratory findings such as bradycardia and high cholesterol. As the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for these conditions, their denial is granted.

The Veteran's loss of use of a creative organ due to VA hernia repair surgeries in February and November 2004 is granted under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, as the event was not reasonably foreseeable. Service connection for ilioinguinal neuralgia is also granted based on new evidence.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as a general mood disorder, is proximately due to service-connected low back and left knee disorders. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional notification and evidentiary development are required before the issues of service connection for cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 can be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of gastroenteritis and there is no evidence linking this condition to her military service. As such, the claim for service connection for gastroenteritis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a jaw disorder due to a tooth extraction is denied as there is no evidence of dental trauma or current disability involving his jaw.

The Veteran's appeal for non-service-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not serve during a qualifying period of time.

The Veteran's death was attributed to Myelodyplastic Syndrome. The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed regarding the cause of death and whether service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death, as well as an assessment of need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant cannot be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA purposes due to a lack of legal recognition under West Virginia law, which does not recognize common-law marriages. As such, she is denied eligibility for VA death benefits.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a genitourinary disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of excision of a conjunctival retention cyst of the left eye is being remanded due to evidence suggesting a material change in his disability since his last examination.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Florida Hospital Winter Park was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected duodenal ulcer.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice in the previous denial of service connection for idiopathic scoliosis.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of meningitis as there was no causal link between the Veteran's in-service meningitis and his current claimed disabilities, including headaches.

The Board has determined that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defects prior to and at the age of 18 years, and therefore, denied the claim for VA death pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right fibula and residuals of a right spontaneous pneumothorax were denied. The RO granted increased ratings, but these are not considered as granting a higher rating than what was initially assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for recurrent deep vein thrombosis of the left leg and hypercoagulative blood disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach condition, ear problems, and breathing or chest condition have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions and insufficient medical nexus opinions.