Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's right upper extremity lateral epicondylitis with cubital tunnel syndrome is rated at 30 percent prior to April 15, 2015 and at 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of VA benefits due to a lack of valid marriage prior to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and affording the Veteran a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his left hip disability.

The Veteran's shortness of breath (dyspnea) with exertion is secondary to his service-connected heart condition, and the Board has granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's herniated disk disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and he has been granted a separate rating of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's annual income exceeds the maximum annual death pension rate, thus denying her eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The appellant's representative withdrew the appeal in a January 2016 statement, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 15, 2011 for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. This decision resolves a dispute regarding when the claim to reopen was filed with SSA.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for myelodysplastic syndrome, which he claims was caused by a VA blood transfusion in May 2007. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the relationship between the transfusion and his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding whether PTSD or medications used to treat it contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for schizoaffective disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for dysuria, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his right and left elbow disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current functional impairment of the elbows.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a respiratory examination. The issues include seeking increased ratings for his service-connected pneumoconiosis.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic stomach disorder or hip disorders during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of a relationship between any current hip disorders and service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying military service for basic eligibility to nonservice-connected disability pension benefits and therefore, her claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's colon cancer was not shown to be related to service, including due to radiation exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's current dental problems, including tooth loss, are due to periodontal disease and not service-connected for VA compensation purposes.