Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected chronic gastritis with duodenitis is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disabilities, including CAD and an old myocardial infarction, were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant before any decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bruxism with temporomandibular joint syndrome was denied by the Board. The criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's brain aneurysm and skin conditions are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA benefits purposes, including entitlement to DIC.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating greater than 50 percent for service-connected mood disorder prior to September 8, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hair loss disorder, finding that alopecia areata is not related to service or exposure to mustard gas. The preponderance of evidence did not support the claim.

The Veteran's intestinal disability, including gastric ulcers, began in service and continues to persist. The Board finds the Veteran's account of his continued symptoms and treatment credible.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and missing treatment records. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from June 26, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the validity of his overpayment claim and whether he still desires a hearing. The case will be readjudicated, and if denied, an appropriate supplemental statement of the case will be issued.

The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms. No higher rating is warranted as there are no indications of disfigurement, incapacitating episodes, or impairment of central visual acuity or visual fields.

The Veteran's death did not meet the criteria for VA burial benefits as he died at a private hospice facility and was not in any VA medical center or under VA authority.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of being recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death pension benefits because they were not legally married at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise for both osteopenia and varicose veins, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an additional allowance for a dependent spouse, and this action represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected gout and obtaining updated treatment records. The claim for TDIU is also part-and-parcel of this increased rating claim.

The Board has decided to grant service connection for the Veteran's claimed leukemia, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The appeal is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.