Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured right ring finger do not warrant an increased rating, and denied his claim for secondary service connection for arthritis of the right hand.

The Board found that B.A.C., as designated beneficiary, is entitled to the proceeds of the Veteran's NSLI policies. The appellant was not the last-named beneficiary and lacked testamentary capacity at the time she requested a change in the beneficiary designation.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for VA home loan benefits due to his service not meeting the required six years of active or reserve service, even though he served in the Marine Reserves for five years and six months.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Crohn's disease. The Board has determined that the current VA examination did not adequately address whether the condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus remands are necessary to obtain a new opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current joint disorders, including arthritis, were not incurred or aggravated during service and are not related to his military service. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and treatment records from the appellant's second period of service in the Army Reserves. The claim will be reconsidered after these additional actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current varicose veins of both lower extremities represents a separate and distinct disease process that as likely as not had its clinical onset during his period of active service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran and the appellant were divorced in February 1985, and there is no evidence suggesting they lived together since then. The appellant was not considered the Veteran's spouse by marriage at the time of his death nor could she be considered a common law spouse. Therefore, the appellant is not entitled to recognition as the surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for a hiatal hernia, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to symptoms he experienced in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus and bilateral hammertoes are not related to his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is denied as he did not have service during a period of war, which is required for basic eligibility.

The Veteran's lung disorder and right leg arthritis are not service-connected. The lung disorder is presumed to be due to his smoking habit, while the right leg arthritis is attributed to an injury sustained after service.

The appellant is granted an extension of her delimiting date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, to cover the period from May 14, 2012, through August 2, 2012. Additionally, she may resume her program of education with VA assistance when financial hardship ceases.

The Board has granted service connection for stress incontinence and bladder infection, finding that the Veteran's symptoms first manifested during active service. The compensable ratings for allergies and eczematoid dermatitis are remanded as new evidence was submitted since the last final rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pituitary adenoma did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for high cholesterol is denied because hypercholesterolemia or elevated serum (blood) cholesterol are not disabilities for which VA compensation benefits are payable.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left elbow arthritis and right hand arthritis are granted. The claim for increased ratings for right shoulder arthritis prior to September 24, 2009, and in excess of 20 percent from that date is denied due to failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the cause of his current health issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain pertinent VA treatment records and to schedule her for examinations to determine the severity of her major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, and paratubal cyst disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.