Other conditions Board decisions

The veteran's thoracic spine disability is being remanded for another VA examination to determine the current level of disability. The issue remains on appeal regarding an increased rating.

The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether the veteran's TMJ condition is related to her service, thus denying service connection.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a necrotic bone graft infection and residuals, status post bilateral sagittal split osteotomies of the mandible was denied as there is no evidence of chronic additional disability resulting from his June 1994 surgery.

The Board has determined that a Travel Board hearing is needed for the veteran's appeal, and this case will be returned to the RO after the hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty regarding whether any lung disability is related to service or post-service exposure to silica dust.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for peptic ulcer disease, status post total gastrectomy, effective from September 8, 2005. The veteran's claim for higher ratings and TDIU was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for actinic keratoses and seborrheic keratoses of the hands and scalp, as well as squamous cell cancer at the dorsum of the left hand, all presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hammertoe deformity is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia patella with patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knees, but denied any request for an increased evaluation beyond the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

The veteran's sphincter control impairment has been manifested by extensive leakage and frequent involuntary bowel movements, warranting a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board determined that the appellant did not meet the criteria to be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits purposes due to a legal impediment and lack of valid common law marriage.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability or any link between the veteran's service and his claimed residuals of a shrapnel wound to the back. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for sickle cell trait, finding that the condition did not exist prior to military service and was not incurred therein.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal condition and granted it. The other issues on appeal remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the veteran's dependant's Chapter 35 education folder and an up-to-date financial status report.

The veteran died in July 2002 and was receiving nonservice-connected VA pension benefits at the time of death. The appellant submitted a claim for burial benefits more than two years after the veteran's burial, which is not within the statutory timeframe. Therefore, the appellant is denied entitlement to VA burial allowance.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for stomach disability. The underlying claim remains denied as there is no positive association between the disability and herbicide exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records. The TDIU rating claim will be readjudicated after these are obtained.

The veteran's claim for competency to handle VA benefits funds is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding his current competency status.