Other conditions decisions — 2018

The Board found that the appellant's spouse did not have qualifying service and was not receiving or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability based on service during a period of war at the time of death, thus denying entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diverticulitis, which is secondary to his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds to the abdomen, will be remanded for further development and an opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation for ulcerative colitis.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the appellant's income and medical expenses, which may affect her eligibility for death pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's spastic dysphonia is rated at 60 percent effective November 23, 2010. The claim for SMC based on complete organic aphonia was denied as the evidence did not show a constant inability to communicate by speech.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for dysautonomia and insomnia are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have any service-connected conditions and therefore cannot meet the requirements for a TDIU.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence that would support a reopening of the claim. The Board also found no evidence linking the esophageal adenocarcinoma to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's heart condition is unclear, but may be related to his service-connected anemia.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and informing the appellant of his right to request a change in character of discharge due to mental health issues. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death and his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which is presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for metatarsalgia was granted, as it is considered a direct service connection based on the diagnosed condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs and updated treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's ulcerative colitis is related to his service.

The Veteran's right fifth finger disability, characterized by fracture and degenerative disease, has been granted a noncompensable rating prior to July 15, 2015, and a compensable (10%) rating from that date forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disorder is not related to his service-connected left knee disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the retroactive termination of the Veteran's additional disability compensation benefits for a dependent spouse effective July 1, 2011 was proper due to administrative error. However, as the Veteran continued to accept these payments after being notified of her divorce, there was not sole administrative error and thus the termination was upheld.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bruxism as secondary to PTSD and finds that the evidence is in equipoise, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic cough, which he attributes to his service in the Persian Gulf War, is considered a qualifying chronic disability and can be attributed to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence does not establish an underlying pathology for the respiratory disability.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.