Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the appellant is not entitled to recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of VA benefits due to a lack of continuous cohabitation from their marriage until her death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the right chest, with involvement of Muscle Group XXI, do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent. The claim for increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses is denied as he has a health-plan contract that bars payment by VA.

The appellant's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate, resulting in a denial of VA improved death pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the evidence, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a new examination to address the etiology of any current foot disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol abuse is secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's chronic pancreatitis is secondary to his service-connected alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for atypical squamous cells of the cervix (ASCUS) is being remanded due to her failure to report for a VA examination and the need for additional treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral neuromas of the feet began during her active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's loss of teeth was due to a pre-existing condition, localized aggressive periodontitis, which did not worsen during service. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current left leg disability. The Veteran's claims file must be forwarded to an appropriate VA physician for this purpose.

The Veteran's medical services at the Lewis County General Hospital were not authorized in advance, and he was not stable for transfer to a VA facility by August 23, 2009. Therefore, reimbursement is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the rescheduled hearing.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his left leg disability, were denied by the Board. The evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for these conditions during the period on appeal through August 31, 2008.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, which the Board found may be related to service exposure to benzene. Service connection for this condition is granted due to direct evidence linking it to service.

New and material evidence has been received to reopen a final disallowed claim for service connection for a digestive disorder, but the issue of service connection remains undecided due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's joint pain issues have also not been resolved as there are no clear etiological determinations provided by VA examiners.,The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder began during his active military service and is related to it, thus granting service connection.

The appeal is being remanded due to the appellant's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be processed as though the hearing request had been withdrawn.

The Veteran's death was caused by an untreatable urinary tract infection, which is related to his service-connected left urethral calculus. The appellant is granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death but denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder, specifically pre-patellar bursitis, was incurred during active military service and is granted service connection.