Other conditions decisions — 2001

The Board denied the appellant's claim for death pension benefits as an adult helpless child of the veteran due to his second marriage occurring after November 1, 1990, which served as a bar to payment.

The veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right lower extremity with injury to the common peroneal and tibial nerves are manifested by foot drop, weakness of dorsiflexion of the foot, and loss of sensation on the dorsum of the foot. The Board finds that VA's duty to assist the appellant in developing all evidence pertinent to the claim has been met.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of cold injury to the hands, feet, and face as there was no evidence demonstrating current disability due to such injuries.

The veteran's service-connected compression fracture of L1 vertebral body is rated at 20 percent, effective from July 1993. The appeal for an increased rating was granted.

The VA has denied increased evaluations for the veteran's shell fragment wound residuals, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating beyond 10 percent for loss of skull, secondary to a meningioma, postoperative with burr holes and replacement of bone flap.

The VA determined that the veteran's coccidioidomycosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new diagnostic criteria.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's healed T-3 compression fracture of the thoracic spine, finding no limitation of motion or evidence of painful motion.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected residuals of a fractured left mandible is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal should be remanded for further development, including obtaining service medical records and arranging for a VA eye examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a deviated nasal septum and bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, as there was no evidence of chronic disability from the inservice surgery or current residuals. The veteran's patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's multi-infarct disease of the brain was not caused or worsened by VA medical treatment, including alleged overmedication during 1995 and 1996. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected irritable colon syndrome with psychophysiologic gastrointestinal reaction is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a more recent VA examination and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for alcoholism and a character disorder.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for service-connected mature cataract of the right eye, finding that the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of recognized service in the United States Armed Forces.

The veteran's monthly income exceeds his expenses, and the appellant demonstrates financial need for support of [redacted]. The Board finds that an apportionment of $150 on behalf of [redacted] is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disorder, finding no current diagnosis and noting that pain alone without an underlying condition does not constitute a disability warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of a right hand disorder as secondary to left hand disorder. However, the Board found no medical opinion indicating that the veteran's right hand disorder was caused by his left hand disability. The Board also concluded that there is not enough evidence to warrant an increased rating for the left hand disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for schizo-affective disorder, depressed type was granted with a 100% disability evaluation effective February 10, 1998. The Board denied an earlier effective date.