Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits as his service did not qualify him under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's Stargardt's macular degeneration was a congenital defect and not subject to service connection under the law.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's condition of the feet to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date for service connection were both denied. The initial evaluation of 10% for residuals of a left middle finger injury is upheld, as the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating. An earlier effective date was also denied due to lack of evidence of prior claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral leg disorder is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the veteran, finding that she did not meet the legal requirements to be considered a surviving spouse.

The veteran is seeking reimbursement for unauthorized ambulance expenses incurred on January 13, 2002. The VAMC denied the claim due to the veteran's annual household income exceeding the maximum annual rate of pension. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining the bill for ambulance services and financial information from the veteran.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for the requested development.

The VA determined that the appellant could not be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes due to legal issues regarding the validity of the divorce decree and the existence of a prior marriage.

The veteran's bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome was first manifested in service and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The claims for respiratory disorder and disability manifested by chest pain are pending.

The Board denied service connection for dysentery and trench mouth, finding no current disability or evidence of residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis and a chronic skin disorder due to lack of well-grounded evidence. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded for a VA dermatology examination and consideration of the claims.

The Board found that the veteran's emphysema, which was the cause of his death, did not originate in service and was not related to any disability of service origin. The Board also determined that none of the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his demise.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination by a vascular specialist.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining a lipid profile test. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal because he did not file a timely substantive appeal within one year of receiving the September 1999 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under Section 1318 of Title 38 U.S.C. is denied as there was no total disability rating at the time of the veteran's death.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a finding that his current low back disability and unemployability were not caused by the December 1998 surgery provided by VA contract, and thus did not meet the criteria for compensation.

The veteran's accrued compensation benefits were withheld in a PFOP account as reimbursement for the appellant's expenses of last sickness and burial. The VA determined that these funds should be released to the appellant.