Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's status post right inguinal hernia has been rated at 10 percent since May 18, 2011. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's daughter is seeking recognition as a dependent child for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits. The case has been remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Board denied both the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse and R.K.'s claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving child, finding that neither met the eligibility criteria.

The Appellant is not considered the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of receiving death pension benefits as she was not married to the Veteran at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic nonspecific urethritis and duodenal ulcer were denied as there is no evidence of symptoms warranting higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin conditions are not attributable to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disorder, diagnosed as chronic prostatitis and BPH, was denied because there is no evidence of such disorder during his active duty or within one year after separation. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence does not attribute the current BPH to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shin splints are not related to her service, and therefore, denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for ischial bursitis of the left hip in November 1983. The decision was based on the lack of evidence supporting a secondary relationship between the service-connected right shoulder disorder and the left hip condition.

The Veteran's fatal metastatic lung carcinoma is found to be due to herbicide exposure during service, warranting service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, to include as due to herbicide exposure, was denied because the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is recognized as a surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of VA DIC benefits.

The Veteran's request for reimbursement of unauthorized home improvement and structural alterations was denied as the improvements were not necessary due to a medical emergency or established medical entitlement, and VA had already approved a wheelchair ramp instead.

The Veteran's right hand disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for the orthopedic residuals, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for ulnar neuropathy. The Board finds that both ratings are appropriate based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's dental disorder, including post-service multi-teeth extraction due to dental caries and severe generalized periodontal disease, does not meet the criteria for service connection as listed under 38 C.F.R. § 4.150.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by patellofemoral syndrome with chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues related to a hearing and the application of a rule regarding hearings before the Board. The Veteran is scheduled for a new Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as a mood disorder, is found to be related to service and granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of head trauma did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter and are not related to service, thus denying his claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by his own willful misconduct involving the intentional use of prescription drugs, which is not considered service-connected.