Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse, finding that they were not married at the time of the Veteran's death and thus did not meet the legal requirements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the nature of his claimed condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities do not warrant a higher initial rating as they do not meet or approximate the criteria for any of the higher schedular ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5251, 5252, and 5253.

The Board has granted service connection for aortic insufficiency, finding that the condition is likely to have had its clinical onset during the Veteran's period of active duty.

The Board found that the appellant's substantive appeal regarding her claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund was not timely filed, and thus denied the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying all periods of active duty service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU benefits was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cognitive disorder, including memory loss from exposure to toxins in Desert Storm. The case is being remanded for additional development and medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and unclear opinions regarding whether his hip disabilities are related to service-connected conditions or aggravated by them.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral chronic otitis media, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran should also be scheduled for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral chronic otitis media.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pneumoconiosis prior to June 3, 2010 was denied as there is no evidence of forced vital capacity (FVC) less than 81 percent predicted or diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide by the single breath method (DLCO (SB)) less than 81 percent predicted. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for pneumoconiosis since June 3, 2010 remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a fracture of right 5th metacarpal and a stomach disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. Laplac and the Hampton VAMC.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing proper notice and obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's esophageal cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and arranging for a VA examination. The issues are whether he should receive an increased rating for gout and if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization at Osceola Regional Hospital from June 8, 2006, to June 10, 2006, are now eligible for payment by VA.

The Veteran's jaw disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective from May 3, 2012. The disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including nerve swelling, radiculopathy, and degenerative joint disease, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's request for a hearing has been remanded and the case is being returned to the Board after scheduling a video conference hearing.