Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's hallux valgus of both the left and right feet have been rated noncompensably disabling. The Board finds that the current disability levels are not significantly different from any other period during the appeal.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied his claim for an increased rating and did not address TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, including breast cancer which did not manifest in service and was unrelated to service. The contributing causes of death were listed as metastatic breast cancer, urosepsis, massive bilateral pleural effusions, and invasive ductal cell carcinoma of the left breast with evidence of bony metastases.

The Veteran's annual income exceeds the maximum allowable for nonservice-connected pension benefits, thus he is not eligible for this benefit.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right hand intrinsic muscle injury is being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination and consideration of new treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a dental disorder due to trauma, as there is no evidence of loss of substance of body of maxilla or mandible. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his myofibroblastic sarcoma of the left calf. The service connection theory is based on aggravation due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis and continued denial of his claims for psychiatric disability, respiratory disability, and increased rating for acne and acne scarring.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including an examination to address all manifestations of her service-connected cramp fasciculation syndrome and consideration of entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for upper airway resistance syndrome, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, and Raynaud's Syndrome are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional VA examinations regarding his right and left thumb disabilities, as well as any bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the issues of service connection for gastroenteritis and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature of his foot conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's left lower extremity myelopathy as of August 15, 2013, finding that his symptoms were of moderately severe severity and impacting his gait.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastric carcinoma was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The skin disability claim was previously denied and not reopened, as no new and material evidence was presented.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's herniated disc C-5, status post diskectomy and fusion disability is etiologically related to her military service. Therefore, she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spindle cell sarcoma was denied, and the Board found that there is no evidence of a prior diagnosis or claim before May 2011. As such, an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran. However, the Board has also found that she is not recognized as the surviving spouse due to her failure to cohabitate continuously with the Veteran from their marriage until his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.