Other conditions decisions — 2001

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that the liberalization of the criteria did not apply to her case as it occurred after the effective date she was seeking.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right ulna do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's varicose veins were not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's current skin disorders are not related to his service, including any exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's service-connected thrombophlebitis of the left leg with postoperative inferior venacaba legation has either caused or aggravated his thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities, and he is granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected shrapnel wound to Muscle Group XXII, finding no support in the record for a higher rating.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a lung disorder, but denied the claim due to lack of current evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for retroactive educational benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code because he did not meet eligibility criteria and his course of education was not approved by the State Approving Agency.

The Board found no causal relationship between the veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis and his ulcerative colitis, thus denying the claim for secondary service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for burns of the feet and a higher rating for residuals of laceration of the 4th finger of the left hand were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking current foot problems to an incident in service, including any reported burns of the feet. For the residuals of laceration of the 4th finger of the left hand, the Board noted symptoms such as pain and numbness but concluded that these did not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to memory problems has been established, granting him special monthly pension benefits.

The VA has granted an increased rating for the appellant's service-connected post traumatic stress disorder from 10 to 30 percent disabling. The current manifestations include occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for cause of death, finding no new and material evidence presented.

The Board denied service connection for gall bladder disease in September 1953 and again in January 1954. The decision was upheld, as the evidence did not clearly establish that the condition existed prior to service or was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right sacroiliac disorder does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 40 percent rating.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for residuals of an allergic reaction to ant bites, finding that the evidence did not show manifestations such as exfoliation, exudation or itching of an exposed surface or extensive area.

The appeal for special monthly pension has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has vacated the March 8, 2001 decision denying an increased rating for right (major) rotator cuff tendonitis and remanded the case to the RO for additional development. The veteran's appeal is now before the Board on its merits.

The Board vacated its previous decision denying a higher level of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as the appellant requested and was granted a hearing before a member of the Board.