Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cocaine addiction and its relation to his in-service nasal surgery. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an independent medical opinion from a licensed Addiction Medicine Specialist with a pharmacology or forensics background.

The Veteran's nephew did not file a claim for accrued benefits within one year of the Veteran's death, resulting in the denial of the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for peptic ulcer and TDIU due to worsening symptoms since his last examination.

The Veteran's cause of death, respiratory arrest due to esophageal cancer, is denied as not related to service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 12, 2011, for the award of nonservice-connected pension was denied as he failed to provide sufficient information concerning his employment and income.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to inconsistencies in medical records regarding the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disability and right foot arthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right middle finger disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of arthritis and ankylosis.

The Veteran's right scapula disability is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, as it results in limitation of motion to 90 degrees.

The Veteran's toenail fungus has been rated at 30 percent since February 25, 2010. The Board found that the condition does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for left and right elbow pain with bursitis have been denied as the evidence does not show flexion limited to less than 90 degrees, which is required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gallbladder, small intestine, and spleen cancers are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreas cancer is remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA medical treatment in April 2012 is being remanded for further development and an opinion regarding the cause of his chronic neuropathic abdominal pain.

The Veteran's spouse was granted spousal dependency benefits, but the effective date is denied as it cannot be earlier than March 9, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cause of death and exposure to herbicide agents. The appellant is seeking service connection for various conditions, including a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, and fractures.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of the validity of a debt due to retroactive reduction for drill pay in FY 2015. The decision is pending further investigation and evidence collection.

The Appellant is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA purposes due to her awareness of his prior marriages.

The Board has determined that the matter is not ripe for appellate review due to procedural issues. The Veteran's apportionment of VA compensation benefits was denied, as he is now the prevailing party after his former spouse filed a claim and won her appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection for right lower extremity varicose veins, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral leg, foot, and hallux valgus conditions are related to his military service.