Other conditions decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain updated medical records and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right great toe disability, including any nonunion of joints or neurological manifestations. The RO must also consider whether separate ratings are warranted.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits due to a lack of legal marriage and no child born during or before their marriage.

The Veteran does not have a right leg disorder that is attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's heart disability worsened since 2013 and was noted to involve heart failure as of October 28, 2014.,A higher 100 percent rating is granted for the cardiomyopathy as of October 28, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's normocytic anemia did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service, including his residuals of a pilonidal cyst.

The Veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of the right middle finger was found to be ankylosed as of April 11, 2014, warranting a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 5226. Prior to this date, the condition did not meet criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Veteran's residuals of bilateral pulmonary emboli have been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting symptomatic pulmonary vascular disease following resolution of acute pulmonary embolism.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the issue of basic eligibility for DEA benefits was granted in a prior decision, and no errors were found. The propriety of severance of DEA benefits under Chapter 35 is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request by the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's left lower extremity neurological disability is not due to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and thus does not warrant a separate compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for right hand disability, left hand disability, and residuals of right arm surgery (right elbow disorder) are pending.

The Veteran's breast cancer and subsequent mastectomy are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to hormone replacement therapy prescribed during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear disease, including Eustachian tube dysfunction, otitis media, and otitis externa, is service-connected. The claim for a higher initial rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a Travel Board hearing scheduled on February 3, 2015. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to verify the Veteran's current address and schedule him for a new hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that new and material evidence supports a grant of service connection. The Board determined that current degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia patella of the right and left knees had their onset in active service.

The Veteran died at his home and was not hospitalized by VA or receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility at the time of his death. Therefore, the appellant is not entitled to non-service-connected burial benefits.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a gynecologic disorder and an increased rating for chronic fatigue syndrome with fibromyalgia, including tension-type headaches. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct VA examinations.

The appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's 'surviving spouse' for the purposes of eligibility for VA death benefits, and her appeal is denied.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease, with symptoms including constant abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and frequent severe flare-ups, warrants a 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7323 for the entire period of appeal.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple myeloma, but the claim is dependent on establishing herbicide exposure during service. The Board has ordered additional investigation to verify this exposure.