Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a vision disorder and respiratory disorder, both linked to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's current conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right eye disability, claimed as due to VA surgery, was not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or other instance of fault on the part of VA. The claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 1, 2010 for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The claim was filed within one year of the Veteran's death and thus qualifies for retroactive benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound. The decision was vacated because relevant evidence submitted after the initial decision was not considered.

The Veteran's bilateral conjunctival injection and dry eye syndrome have been rated as 10 percent disabling under the applicable diagnostic codes. The rating for conjunctival injection is denied, but a separate 20 percent rating has been granted for bilateral dry eye syndrome.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of gastrointestinal disability due to inadequate previous examinations and failure to consider pertinent lay evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for menstrual disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and diverticulitis secondary to IBS due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's service-connected dysphonia is granted a 60 percent rating for the entire appeal period, as his condition has remained constant with no significant change in his ability to speak above a whisper since his operation in September 2010.

The appellant's claim for death pension benefits as the surviving spouse of her deceased husband is denied due to remarriage, which precludes her from meeting the legal requirements for recognition as a surviving spouse.

The Veteran's application for VA home loan guaranty benefits was denied as he did not meet the minimum active duty service requirements.

The Veteran's hysterectomy is granted as secondary to her service-connected ovarian cysts.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his metastatic adenocarcinoma was not related to his military service or any exposure to herbicide agents or asbestos.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records related to the appellant's discharge and a motion for reconsideration.

The Veteran's hysterectomy was not caused by VA care, but rather her pre-existing adenomyosis and fibroids. The Board found no evidence linking the Depo-Provera shots to her hysterectomy.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder and assigned a 100% disability rating, effective January 18, 2013. The Veteran's informal claim of entitlement to service connection was received on that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied in November 2009, and no new and material evidence has been submitted since then. The Board found the evidence to be cumulative.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) services, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is recognized for purposes of establishing eligibility for payment of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a right thumb disability was denied as he did not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,His Bell's palsy and TMJ claims were also denied, with specific ratings assigned.

The appeal is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the case, making the apportionment claim moot.