Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's death was not service connected, and he did not have a pending claim for compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. The criteria for payment of VA burial benefits were therefore not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a videoconference hearing as requested. The case will be returned to the Board after appropriate action.

The Board found that the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits were improperly discontinued due to a mistaken determination of fugitive felon status, and thus granted relief from the overpayment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine if any current left foot disability is related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his left arm disability and additional evidentiary development for the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the cancer is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's recurrent nosebleeds are found to have started during his service in Iraq and are considered a result of exposure to dust, sand, smoke, and chemicals. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's B-12 deficiency was not incurred in or aggravated by service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be pharyngeal carcinoma, which is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. As the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted, the claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is moot and dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current varicose veins.

The Veteran's esophageal reflux disease, Barrett's esophagus, and hiatal hernia were manifested by daily pyrosis (heartburn), occasional epigastric distress, reflux, mild dysphagia, occasional choking of vomitus or regurgitated material during sleep, and radiating shoulder pain. These symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a VA examination and determine whether the Veteran's hydrocephalus is related to service, including as secondary to GERD. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left chondromalacia patella were rated at 10 percent each, with arthritis now present. The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain records from private facilities, including Banner Churchill Hospital. The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded and will be reviewed after the completion of this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference Board hearing at the RO in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for status as a surviving spouse due to her separation from the Veteran being due to his misconduct without fault on her part.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and VA examinations for his sleep disorder and lung disorder claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of a cardiac disability, gastrointestinal disability, and mental health disability. The original decisions denying these claims are now considered final.

The Board found that the reduction of the appellant's nonservice-connected death pension benefits, effective January 1, 2009, was proper. However, the reduction on December 1, 2009, and the calculation of her monthly payment were not properly done by the RO. The Board adjusted her monthly payment to $39.00 per month from December 1, 2009.