Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran is seeking special monthly compensation for loss of use of his heart, but the claim is denied as there is no provision in law that allows for such a benefit.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's pneumonia, and for obtaining additional treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for gout on a presumptive basis due to its association with hyperuricemia during service. The Veteran's right hand finger numbness is not found to be related to his service-connected DJD of the right shoulder, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a comprehensive audiology examination. The claims will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA death benefits purposes due to her separation from the Veteran, which was not shown to be without fault.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current right foot disorder is related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for TDIU prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right pinky finger are rated as noncompensable due to limited range of motion, but no ankylosis or other compensable conditions. The current rating is appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action, including seeking verification of service from the relevant service department and re-adjudicating the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability was incurred during his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service records do not show any chronic respiratory disability, and the VA examination reports indicate no current respiratory condition. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between his claimed black spots on lungs and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left leg with fracture of the lateral plateau of the left tibia, status post arthrotomy, and hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for any of the requested increased ratings.

The Board found that the Appellant did not cohabitate continuously with the Veteran from their marriage until his death, and thus denied her claim for DIC and death pension benefits.

The Veteran's current eye conditions, diagnosed as emmetropia and presbyopia, are not shown to have been present during the Veteran's active service; are unrelated to a disease, injury, or event in service; and are not a qualifying chronic disability, a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness, a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, or any diagnosed illness that the Secretary has determined warrants a presumption of service connection.

The Veteran does not have a current neurologic disorder or symptoms related to service. The Board found that the in-service event was a neurological event of undetermined etiology and did not result in any residual disability.

The Board has denied reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory and gastrointestinal disabilities, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted to support these claims.

The Veteran's preexisting flexion deformity of the fourth and fifth digits of the right hand was aggravated by service, warranting service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea as there is no case or controversy remaining. The Veteran's request for a hearing on the issues of gynecomastia and skin disability of the face and hands was granted, but the hearing has not been scheduled yet.