Other conditions decisions — 2012

The Veteran's currently diagnosed heart murmur was incurred in military service and the Board has granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's penile disability, diagnosed as congenital chordee or Peyronie's disease, has not caused loss of erectile power and therefore does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining statements from witnesses and a list of visitation dates. The appellant must provide evidence that she is the common law wife of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a chronic disorder manifested by urinary tract infections which either began during or was otherwise caused by her military service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the eligibility for an automobile and specially adapted equipment, leading to its dismissal.

The Board has determined that the calculation of the Veteran's indebtedness due to overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $652.67 is correct.

The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that an effective date earlier than September 15, 1997 for the award of TDIU is not warranted as there was no formal or informal claim received within one year prior to this date. The Veteran's employment at a park gate attendant position did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to its marginal nature and lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during the one-year period before the September 15, 1997 formal claim.

The appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA death benefits due to a lack of continuous cohabitation from the date of marriage until the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation regarding payment of burial and funeral expenses. The appellant is required to provide evidence showing what she paid towards the Veteran's last sickness and burial, including amounts and who made the payments.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's gout and painful joints, as well as whether his joint pain is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to establish the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service, which may be relevant to his claims for avascular necrosis, Bell's palsy, and broken teeth. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for basal cell carcinoma and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status have not progressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sinus disability and thus cannot establish service connection for it. The October 1983 rating decision denying service connection was final, and no new and material evidence has been received since then to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected degenerative changes at L5-S1, with anterolisthesis and disc bulge is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence including VA medical records from November 2009 onwards. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a skin disorder of the feet. The issue of service connection for a skin disorder of the hands is still pending.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain unit daily reports from April 1972 for the Veteran's service in the United States Air Force, specifically the 432d Field Maintenance Squadron. The purpose is to verify if the Veteran served in Vietnam during his active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins of both legs is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with contested claims procedures and the need for further development.