Other conditions decisions — 2019

The Board denied dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that the weight of the evidence is against a finding that any service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, status post meniscal tear. The Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5259 for each knee due to symptomatic residuals following removal of the semilunar cartilage.

The appellant is not eligible for VA nonservice-connected death pension benefits as she was divorced from the Veteran at the time of his death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right elbow tenosynovitis, finding that it is related to his years of service in the Marines.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting VA records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied an apportionment of the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits on behalf of their son, J.M., as the Veteran reasonably discharged his responsibility for support from June 2011 to March 2012 and there was no evidence of hardship due to inadequate support.

The Veteran's countable income did not exceed the applicable maximum annual pension rates (MAPR), and he is granted nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's surviving spouse passed away in September 2014, and the appellant filed a claim for accrued benefits. The VA denied the claim as there were no claims pending at the time of death or accrued benefits due.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which he contends was caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease. The Board has ordered the VA to obtain updated treatment records and any relevant private medical records from Dr. W. M., as well as ask the Veteran to provide authorization for these records.

The Board has decided that an additional medical examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's abdominal and pelvic cramping is related to her service-connected hysterectomy or any other factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and review of records, including those from the Social Security Administration. The Veteran's TMJ disorder is being evaluated in light of his service-connected PTSD and any potential connection to an injury during service.

The appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA purposes due to a valid marriage not having been established between them.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits is denied as there is no other basis upon which he could have established eligibility prior to May 18, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of his eye and heart disability claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion.

The Veteran's initial rating for his residual scar from squamous cell carcinoma is denied as the scar does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable disability code.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of death, finding no causal connection between the Veteran's service and his cause of death.

The appeal is remanded due to new and material evidence received after the March 2013 decision. The claims for service connection for cause of death and death pension eligibility are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the claim is now pending for a surviving family member.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of excision of a right mandible cyst and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD). The Veteran did not have any currently diagnosed disabilities related to his in-service conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for strained back, to include as secondary to his service-connected urethritis with prostatitis and lichen sclerosis, is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing whether the current back disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of urethritis.