Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis was not initially manifested during service, is not causally related to a service-connected disability, and may not be presumed to have been incurred during service. The claim for service connection for multiple joints manifested by pain was denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have bowel incontinence causally related to service-connected residuals of a pelvic fracture with lumbar spine arthritis. The claim for service connection for multiple joint arthritis as secondary to service-connected pelvic fracture with arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for hypercholesterolemia, which was listed as a significant condition contributing to the veteran's death. The Board found that new evidence had been received and decided in favor of granting service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for liver and urinary tract disorders, as well as low back and left knee conditions, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant can be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse, which is a prerequisite for VA death benefits. The appeal regarding service connection for the cause of the veteran's death will be addressed in a separate remand.

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 specific medical records and then reviewing the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hemorrhage of the right eye and trigeminal neuralgia, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance and higher level of care was denied because the evidence did not show that his wife provided personal health-care services under the supervision of a licensed health-care professional.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his upper extremity weakness and initial evaluation for bowel incontinence were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not have complete paralysis or loss of use, which are required for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for post-operative residuals of a fracture of the right femur with avascular necrosis and arthritis, effective from the date of the March 1989 RO decision. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for a superficial scar on the right hip due to pain. The claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease, subtrochanteric bursitis of the left hip remains at 10 percent and the claim for a higher evaluation for residuals of a left clavicle fracture remains at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's post-operative hidradenitis in both armpits does not warrant an increased rating as his symptoms are currently manifested by tender or painful scarring.

The veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral otitis externa has been granted. The RO is required to use the correct diagnostic criteria and re-adjudicate the claim using these criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current residuals of cold injury, right foot are due to service and have been granted service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen his eligibility for VA benefits due to lack of new and material evidence. The appeal is dismissed.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for gallstones, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by service and could not be presumed due to radiation exposure. The current disorder was also not caused by a pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as insufficient evidence linking his systemic mastocytosis or esophageal cancer to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable disability rating, finding no new and material evidence to reopen her claim of an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The veteran's ex-wife was awarded $124 for the month of January 2002 as an apportionment of his VA disability compensation benefits, which concluded concurrently with her entitlement to a dependency allowance.

The veteran died of a non-service-connected cause and was not in receipt of any VA benefits at the time of his death, so he is ineligible for burial benefits.