Other conditions decisions — 2002

The Board denied an evaluation greater than 50 percent prior to December 11, 1996 and denied an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including left calf pain, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and L5-S1 nerve root irritation, are not related to his active service.

The veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria for Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits under the current applicable legal criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for stomach, skin, and blood disorders, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for her service-connected diffuse goiter, finding that her condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on current symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's right elbow disability, characterized by tendonitis and arthritis, warranted a 10 percent rating based on X-ray findings of spurring. The limitation of motion did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left thigh do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bladder disorder and an increased evaluation for his left ankle disability. The decision stated that there was no medical diagnosis of any current bladder disorder, and that the veteran did not have evidence linking his bladder disorder to service or a service-connected condition.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for neuralgia paresthetica of the left thigh is denied as there is no provision in law that allows for an effective date prior to the date of injury suffered, which is July 13, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right thigh warrant a 30 percent rating, reflecting moderately severe injury to Muscle Group XIV.

The Board has decided that it does not have jurisdiction to decide the eligibility for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits and has dismissed the matter.

The veteran's residuals of a fractured fourth middle phalanx of the right foot do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The appellant is not the surviving spouse of the veteran and therefore does not meet the eligibility requirements for VA improved death pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and CUE in the September 10, 1956 rating decision. The veteran appealed these decisions.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disease did not begin during service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange or other known risk factors. The evidence does not establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The veteran's death was not due to any service-connected condition, and there are no accrued benefits available for the appellant.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a causal relationship between the veteran's current skin condition involving his feet and active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the surviving spouse of the veteran, finding that she did not meet the criteria for such status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current venous stasis disease status post pulmonary emboli with residuals and status post-phlebitic syndrome did not develop during service or as a result of any incident therein. The condition is considered to have developed long after his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury, including arthritis of the hands and feet, as well as residuals of a stroke and circulatory problems, claiming these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated during his active service.