Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for scoliosis with arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's daughter died due to a Chiari malformation, and she had spina bifida. The VA has already paid the deceased daughter for her last sickness and burial expenses. As there is no surviving child or spouse entitled to death compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or death pension, the remaining checks were not payable under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5122.

The Board found that the veteran's current skin disability, lichen planus, did not have its onset in service and is not related to his active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant, the veteran's widow.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen for eligibility to VA benefits, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of cold weather injury residuals is being remanded due to the need for compliance with the VCAA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's rectal cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service. The Board also found no nexus between the veteran's military service or a service-connected disability and his rectal cancer.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the appellant's deceased husband did not have qualifying service for VA benefits purposes and therefore denied her claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a disorder of the right hip, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's military service and her in-service diagnosis of right trochanteric bursitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits and service connection for bilateral heel spurs, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for alcoholism as secondary to a service-connected back disorder, finding that direct service connection is precluded by law and that alcoholism is not proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient exposure information and incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right eye disability originated during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and thus, service connection for the cause of his death is denied.