Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's joint pain and memory loss are not related to service, attributing them to his service-connected fibromyalgia and other non-service connected conditions. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorders, diagnosed as actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis, are not due to disease or injury incurred in service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, and no presumptive exposure to herbicides is established. The cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest and congestive cardiomyopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative joint disease of the right hip is related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not meet the requirements for full-time educational benefits due to his enrollment being less than 12 credit hours at any point during the spring 2008 term.

The Board has remanded this case for further development due to the need for a VA examination to determine if there are any objective findings of residuals from a cold injury and whether such are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, including treatment with NSAIDs and surgeries, did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from acute myocardial infarction.

The Veteran's service-connected fracture of the transverse process at L1 is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and there is no evidence in the record to support a higher rating.

The appellant initially applied for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance in October 2003, but his claim was denied multiple times due to a lack of evidence showing he required such assistance. The Board has now granted an effective date of October 9, 2003, for this benefit.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's left clavicle fracture residuals, including the residuals of fracture and its repair and residual surgical scar, had no disabling residuals beyond that analogous to a tender or painful scar without impairment of functioning of underlying parts for the entire rating period beginning up to one year prior to May 5, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder, finding that it was not related to the Veteran's active military service or his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim for an increased rating for myofibrositis of the lumbar spine is also denied.

The Board has determined that there is a need to obtain additional medical opinions and conduct further development before the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death can be decided.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board determined that the cause of the Veteran's death was not related to any service-connected disability and denied both claims for service connection and reinstatement of DIC benefits.

The Board has directed that the Veteran's cardiovascular disorders, including sinus bradycardia, be evaluated and a determination made as to whether they are related to service or pre-existing conditions. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current groin disability is proximately due to his service-connected left ankle fracture, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for visual impairment as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the nature, etiology, and relationship of any visual disability to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for tropical sprue was denied. The maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 7319 (irritable colon syndrome) is already assigned.