Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is needed to resolve the appellant's claim for accrued benefits, including special monthly pension and expenses of last sickness and burial. This includes obtaining SSA records and reviewing the Veteran's Vocational Rehabilitation folder.

The Veteran did not serve during a period of war, and the appellant and the Veteran were married less than one year prior to the Veteran's death. The appellant is therefore not eligible for VA DIC or death pension benefits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left arm disorder and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also finds that the preexisting condition was aggravated by service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's obesity is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it had its onset during service or is related to any in-service disease or injury. His concussion, head pain, and dizziness are also being examined to determine their relation to service.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is rated at 10% based on degenerative joint disease. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the issues of service connection for a right elbow condition and a left clavicle condition. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to the RO for additional review.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, posttraumatic stress disorder, and arteriosclerotic heart disease. The examiner should consider an article linking PTSD to hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claim for arthritis of both hands is granted as the disability manifested during his military service.

The Board found that the amputation of the Veteran's left leg was not caused by fault on the part of VA, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic skin rash in service or any current condition related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory disorder and his active duty military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral DJD has been rated at 10 percent for the entire initial rating period.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease has not been manifested by claudication on walking more than 100 yards, and diminished peripheral pulses or an ankle/brachial index of 0.9 or less since October 29, 2004.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant is seeking non-service-connected burial benefits. The Board finds that the criteria for payment of such benefits are not met as the Veteran did not have a pending claim at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for post-operative diskectomy at the C5-C6 level. The underlying issue of entitlement to service connection is addressed in a separate REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's motion for revision of the April 14, 2006, Board decision was dismissed with prejudice as it is barred by law due to its being identical to issues appealed and decided by a court of competent jurisdiction.