Other conditions decisions — 2023

The Veteran's death benefits for his surviving spouse were denied due to the Appellant and Veteran not being legally married for more than one year prior to the Veteran's death. The Board found that there was no evidence of a common law marriage between them.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for right thumb injury, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current numbness and an in-service injury.

The Veteran's death certificate and other evidence show he was divorced at the time of his death. The Appellant, who claims to be a surviving spouse, did not provide any evidence that she remarried or cohabitated with the Veteran after their divorce in 1986. Therefore, her claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations and the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion addressing service connection for musculoskeletal chest pain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with obtaining the Veteran's death certificate and ensuring an accurate address for the Appellant. The duty to assist requires VA to contact the Appellant and her representative, as well as obtain updated contact information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, finding that his dry eye syndrome and other residuals of LASIK surgery are not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendinitis is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral eye disability and skin disability due to additional development being necessary. The issues are related to whether these conditions are service-connected, with exposure to chemicals during service considered.

Your appeal for service connection for cause of death has been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal.

The Board has received a request for withdrawal of the appeal and therefore dismissed it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back strain and degenerative joint disease, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after discharge. The Board also found that there is no nexus between his current back disorder and any service-connected disability.

The appeal for a temporary total disability rating for a heart disability prior to October 22, 2018 is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination in relation to secondary service connection for diverticulitis, and an addendum opinion is needed on remand.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to insufficient evidence linking multiple myeloma to his military service. The Board found that there was no exposure to herbicide agents or radiation during service, and the private opinion relied on unsupported assumptions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a central nervous system condition, including mononeuritis multiplex (MNM), finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has directed the AOJ to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The remand requires a detailed analysis of all identified conditions, their onset during service or non-service related factors, and any relationship with his service-connected condition.

The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's ulcerative colitis was aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not begin in service and is otherwise unrelated to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a head injury and the reopening of his previously denied respiratory condition claim have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals.