Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that an effective date of August 19, 1997, is warranted for the grant of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 based on the appellant's claim being reviewed more than one year after the effective date of October 1, 1978.

The VA determined that the Veteran's neck disorder was not incurred or aggravated by her active duty service and denied her claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his gout disorder during an active stage.

The Veteran's service connection claim for penile disorder, manifested by bleeding from the penis, is granted as a presumptive disability due to service in the Gulf War theater of operations. The condition has been objectively indicated since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic spine disability and residual disability from heat stroke were not incurred or aggravated during active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed head and spinal cord injuries are not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for double vision affecting the Veteran's right eye. The left eye disorder is presumed to be due to glaucoma, which is not a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, diagnosed as minimal obstructive lung defect and a mild restrictive lung defect, are not etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge from service is a bar to the award of VA benefits, based on his unauthorized absence without official leave (AWOL) during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete opinions and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for residuals of an injury to the distal end of the left fibula was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran died from hepatic encephalopathy due to end stage liver disease, which was not service-connected. The VA physician concluded that the cause of death was related to his back surgery and pain medication.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired ichthyosis and seborrheic keratosis, which represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a left great toe injury and finds that this condition was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's multiple joint arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and cannot be presumed to have been caused by exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the right leg with post phlebitic syndrome does not render him unemployable due to his ability to perform sedentary work.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for left elbow arthritis, which the Board finds is attributable to his active military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for dizziness, nausea, and loss of balance that he believes are associated with his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss. The case has been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC, death benefits and accrued benefits as a surviving spouse of her deceased husband due to the lack of valid marriage prior to his death.