Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's right hip disorder is not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and the Board denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's upper extremity disabilities are found to be due to an undiagnosed illness manifested by neurological symptoms and muscle pain presumed to have been incurred as a result of his Persian Gulf War service. Service connection is granted for both the right and left upper extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including hallux valgus, metatarsalgia, malunion of the metatarsal osteotomies, forefoot equinus, arthritis, peroneal brevis tear, and hammertoes.

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple system atrophy is being remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current diagnosis and active military service, including exposure to industrial chemicals while stationed at Camp Lejeune. Additionally, any outstanding VA treatment records from Charleston, South Carolina VAMC and Houston, Texas VAMC are requested.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the gingiva and mandible is not etiologically related to his active service, including as a result of herbicide exposure. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's right thumb condition resulted in painful motion only as of May 23, 2009. He is currently assigned a 10% rating for this condition.

The Board determined that the appellant, DCC, is recognized as the Veteran's lawful surviving spouse for DIC purposes prior to April 27, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are not etiologically related to his in-service herbicide exposure or sun exposure, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA hospital records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hand disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The case is being remanded for compliance with the remand directive. The Veteran has not been provided proper notice for his claim of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pains, including as due to an undiagnosed illness from Persian Gulf War service, is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse, finding that she did not meet the legal criteria due to a prior valid marriage and other impediments.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for additional compensation payable for a dependent spouse. The Board finds that the earliest date of claim received by VA was February 1, 2007, and thus the effective date is March 1, 2007.

The Veteran's death is the basis for this appeal, but as the Appellant has died, the Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the merits of the case.

The Veteran's right thumb/hand disability was caused by a March 2009 VA surgical procedure, but the additional disability is not considered reasonably foreseeable or the result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.,The Veteran's left leg drop foot disability was caused by an August 2009 VA surgical procedure. The surgery removed a lipoma instead of the Baker's cyst and resulted in additional disability.

The appellant's claim for an extension of the delimiting date beyond November 11, 2009 for education benefits under Chapter 35 is being remanded due to incomplete documentation in her claims file.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a one-time payment from the FVEC Fund as her late husband did not have qualifying service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current dental condition, including whether it is at least as likely as not due to in-service trauma, particularly any purported in-service dental malpractice. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for alcoholism and its residuals is denied as there is no legal basis for the claim due to the prohibition of compensation for a disability resulting from a veteran's own alcohol or drug abuse.