Other conditions decisions — 2002

The veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability incurred prior to August 13, 1981. The Board denied the claim for REPS benefits.

The veteran's service-connected gunshot wound residuals to the left hand are productive of pain and a tender scar, but do not warrant an increased rating beyond 10 percent.

The veteran's death pension claim was denied because he did not meet the basic eligibility criteria for improved death pension benefits, as his service was insufficient to qualify him for such benefits and he was not receiving or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability at the time of his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for amblyopia, compound hyperopia, and astigmatism as these conditions are considered congenital defects not recognized for VA compensation purposes.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current rash of the feet, groin, hands, back and neck to service. For PTSD, while the veteran maintains his marriage and job, he has mild impairment due to post-traumatic stress disorder which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claim for his impairment of right radius with traumatic arthritis, finding that he is currently rated as 30 percent disabled and not entitled to a higher disability rating.

The June and August 1977 rating decisions that denied entitlement to TDIU benefits were not clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The veteran's service-connected disabilities included traumatic encephalopathy and loss of skull bone, resulting in a combined rating of 60 percent.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, which approximates severe limitation of motion of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's claim for service connection for dysthymia, claimed as memory loss, and joint pain, cramps in hands and legs, and hair loss due to undiagnosed illness was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to active service.

The Board found no evidence of a current peptic ulcer disorder and concluded that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or aggravate his claimed peptic ulcer disorder. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right hand disability, characterized by related deformity and moderate functional limitation due to pain, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, status post L5 left hemilaminectomy and L5-S1 diskectomy has not met the criteria for an initial disability rating greater than 40 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for depressive psychosis and secondary service connection for neurological damage along the left side as secondary to a VA EMG performed in September 1995, due to lack of evidence showing additional disability or fault on the part of VA personnel.

The Board found that the veteran's right hip disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied her claim.

The Board found that the appellant did not meet VA requirements for a 'surviving spouse' and denied her claim for dependency and indemnity compensation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of frozen feet are service-connected, with the condition being related to a cold injury sustained during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for soft tissue sarcoma, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis and concluding that exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam did not cause the condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Raynaud's disease warrants a 50 percent disability rating, as it does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new VA Rating Criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hair loss of the scalp, a rash in the groin area, blurred vision, multiple joint pain, and a skin rash, all claimed as due to undiagnosed illness. The conditions were found not to be related to active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and denied service connection for the residuals of dental trauma.