Other conditions decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected postoperative medial meniscus tear, right knee, with traumatic arthritis was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher evaluation were not met and concluded that a separate and additional rating for instability of the right knee is not warranted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no written application or claim received prior to November 18, 2005.

The Board denied accrued benefits for unreimbursed medical expenses because there was no evidence in the file on or before the widow's death to support the claim, and a pending claim for such expenses was not present at her time of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and right and left knee disorders, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The appellant's service does not qualify him for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of active military, naval, or air service during a period of war.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cerebral concussion residuals in April 1947, finding no evidence of residual disabilities. The current decision denies his request to reopen this claim as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma, finding no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board found that the Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the rectum was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left forearm disability does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his other significant non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition, resulting in a denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back condition, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, requires additional development and review.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen his claim for eligibility for VA benefits because no new and material evidence was received, and thus the original denial of the claim remains in effect.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's service-connected postoperative Colles' fracture of the major wrist and forearm contributed substantially to his death, granting service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated septum does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6502, as there was no finding of any blockage in either nasal passage during the June 2007 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel board hearing at the RO due to the appellant's request. The appeal is about whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the decedent's service is not recognized as qualifying for VA benefits, and thus the appellant does not meet the requirements of basic eligibility for VA benefits.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's effective date for additional compensation benefits due to his dependent spouse is set at December 1, 1991. This decision grants the Veteran an earlier effective date based on the submission of a VA Form 21-686c indicating he was married and had dependents.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death with an effective date of July 9, 2005. The appellant filed a pending claim within one year of the Veteran's death and was seeking to appeal the denial of service connection.