Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse, finding that they were not married at the time of his death and thus did not meet the legal requirements.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance or housebound rates, nor does he qualify for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy as it did not become manifest within one year of the veteran's separation from service and there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for accrued benefits, service connection for cardiovascular disease, and eligibility for DIC under section 1318 of Title 38, United States Code. The cause of death was determined to be cardio-respiratory arrest with pneumonia.

The veteran's deviated nasal septum is currently rated at the maximum schedular rate of 10 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating as there is no evidence that the disability has worsened or meets any other criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for multiple joint pain due to undiagnosed illness was granted, with a 10 percent rating effective February 26, 1996 and increased to 20 percent after September 1, 2000.

The veteran's claim for service connection of his right hip disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and review of his claims file.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected left lower leg injury, with arterial insufficiency and status post femoral popliteal bypass, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's death in August 2000 was due to a pulmonary abscess, which resulted from carelessness or negligence on the part of VA health care providers. The Board found that the appropriate antibiotics were not prescribed and this failure caused the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his left ear chronic suppurative otitis media and service connection for an aneurysm as secondary to his left ear condition. The evidence did not support granting either claim.

The veteran's residuals of a left hand injury are manifested by limitation of motion of the ring and little fingers, not worse than that comparable to favorable ankylosis. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's current lung disability is primarily due to smoking, and not his service-connected right pneumothorax. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right pneumothorax was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of a cardiovascular disorder is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by any service-connected condition. The evidence does not support a finding that his cardiovascular disorder was caused by or aggravated by treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The veteran's claims for malaria and shrapnel wounds of the right foot and upper chest were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Service connection was granted for bilateral foot fungus, with no current evidence linking this condition to service.

The veteran does not have chronic prostatitis that was present in service or is otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected comminuted fracture of the right navicular, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with the notice provisions contained in the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and to allow a period of time for response.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of death due to pancreatic cancer, cardiopulmonary arrest, aspiration, and small bowel obstruction. The appeal also included claims for pension benefits, accrued benefits, and burial benefits, which are being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is service-connected under current VA regulations.