Other conditions decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected injury to muscle group XIX associated with a stab wound of the left abdomen is currently rated at 10 percent, and his scar is also rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants an increase in rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of her VA treatment records and to consider the issues on appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation and chest pain, are not related to her service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation is less likely than not attributable to the chest pain of unknown etiology during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The appellant is not eligible for DIC or non-service-connected death pension as the surviving spouse of the Veteran due to her marriage occurring more than 15 years after his service and without meeting other eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's calcaneal spurs of the right heel have been rated as noncompensable and no higher rating is warranted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's wife/appellant sought reimbursement for unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred at the Nebraska Medical Center during his hospitalization. The VA denied the claim as prior authorization was not obtained and no emergency care existed, nor did the treatment address a service-connected condition or nonservice-connected disability associated with a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not eligible for VA benefits as a surviving dependent of the Veteran due to his status as the Veteran's brother, and thus not meeting the legal requirements for eligibility.

The Veteran's residuals of left inguinal hernia, status post left inguinal hernia repair, have not been productive of postoperative recurrent or unoperated irremediable, not well supported by truss, or not reducible inguinal hernia. However, the Veteran has experienced at least one painful scar during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a postoperative recurrence of his left inguinal hernia, and therefore, no compensable rating is warranted.

The Veteran's cause of death was acute myelogenous leukemia, and the Board has ordered additional development to determine if this condition was related to his military service, including inservice exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the Veteran's right eye disability was not caused by VA treatment, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic UARS disability during her active duty service and finds no evidence of such a condition in Reserve service. Therefore, she is denied service connection for UARS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and fatigue were denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or after service, and the symptoms are not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for receiving full MGIB benefits while incarcerated was denied as the regulations mandate a reduction in benefit amount for incarcerated Veterans, including those with felony convictions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thrombophlebitis of the left leg is being remanded due to the need for an additional VA medical opinion regarding whether his current condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right leg thrombophlebitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right arm disorders, including his right elbow degenerative joint disease and chronic flexor and extensor tendonitis, did not have their onset during active service or are related to documented in-service injuries. The claim was denied.