Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's skin rash, arthritis, gout, left inguinal hernia, and respiratory disorder were not found to be related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran does not have a hip joint disability or eye disability that is related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for recognition of G.C.W. as his child and the request for an earlier effective date are denied due to lack of evidence showing that G.C.W. was a member of the Veteran's household, which is required for VA benefits purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings were not supported by evidence showing more than the current assigned ratings. The RO has already granted the maximum schedular rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes, so no further increase is warranted.

The Board found that the service member's discharge from active military service is a bar to VA benefits in the form of entitlement to service connection for the cause of death, death pension benefits, and accrued benefits due to his OTH discharge.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but he had a pending claim for pension at the time of his death. The evidence supported an award of pension and special monthly pension (aid and attendance), effective before the date of his death.

The Board has determined that the current record is not sufficient to make a decision on the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to his employment status and need for additional examination. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no indication of Agent Orange exposure. The primary cause of death was alcohol use, which contributed to liver failure and cardiac arrest.

The appellant's claim for VA compensation for birth defects of a child born to a Vietnam Veteran is denied as the statutory and regulatory requirements have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a head injury is currently under review.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot edema is currently manifested by less than moderate symptoms, and does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has requested additional medical opinions and evidence, and the case is being remanded to the RO for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound residuals of the right thigh involving Muscle Group XV are not productive of a moderately severe disability, and thus, he is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical examination and opinion regarding whether any current back disability is related to service, including determining if a pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of an ostectomy of the accessory scaphoid bone of the left foot are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher 20 percent rating is warranted based on moderately severe foot impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension with special monthly pension due to a lack of threshold service eligibility requirements, as his period of service did not meet the required 90 days during a period of war. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred for private medical care received on October 8, 2005 to October 9, 2005, and on October 13, 2005 are denied as VA facilities were found to be available.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the prohibition of service connection for disability due to the use of tobacco products during active service, effective June 9, 1998.

The Veteran's claimed gastrointestinal disorders, esophageal peristasis, chronic cholecystitis, and right phrenic nerve paralysis are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under applicable laws and regulations.