Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coccyx disorder, diagnosed as coccydynia, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the VA did not authorize payment for outpatient medical care provided by Grant Integrated Services from November 15, 2010 to December 1, 2010 and from December 2, 2010 to June 7, 2011.

The Veteran's cold injury residuals of the left foot are found to be service-connected due to a cold injury sustained during active duty in Korea.

The Veteran's death did not meet the criteria for payment of nonservice-connected burial benefits as he had no pending claims for compensation or pension at the time of his death, and there was no indication that he died from a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right hip bursitis is not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the appellant's deceased spouse's military service. The claim will be re-adjudicated after verifying the service status with the appropriate service departments.

The Veteran's achalasia is currently rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 7203 for moderate stricture of the esophagus. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his condition has not been shown to be severe enough to permit liquids only.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence linking any service-connected disability to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's NASH was not present during service or for months thereafter, and was not caused by any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for NASH was denied.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for the grants of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents Educational Benefits (DEA). The case is being remanded to obtain additional records, including workers' compensation records and employment information.

The Veteran's costochondritis is manifested by chest pain with fatigue and complaints of shortness of breath, but does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board found that the reduction in non-service-connected pension benefits effective April 1, 2014 was proper due to receipt of Social Security disability benefits by the Veteran's dependent wife.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the issues are dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair have been productive of no more than moderate symptoms with pulling pain on attempting work or aggravated by movements of the body, or occasional episodes of colic pain, nausea, constipation (perhaps alternating with diarrhea) or an abdominal distention. The initial rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair has not been met.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right and left hands has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's cause of death was multiple myeloma, which is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides in service. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides and grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board denied service connection for DVT and residuals, including as secondary to the service-connected residuals of left buttock pilonidal cyst removal.

The Board has denied the deceased's petition to reopen his claim of basic eligibility for entitlement to VA benefits, finding that there was insufficient verification of service.

The Veteran's eligibility for VRAP benefits was denied as he did not maintain full-time enrollment during the specified term.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam and therefore does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for non-service-connected pension benefits.