Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, as veterans' claims do not survive their deaths.

The veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as his left eye disability is considered a direct result of the cataract surgery performed at VA facility in March 1996, and not due to any fault on VA's part.

The VA granted service connection for malunion of the sternum and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, effective September 13, 2001.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected stomach disability, classified as pylorospasm, currently rated at 10 percent, is denied.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left leg disability was denied due to failure to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of death, but denied the merits of the claim as there was no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's death to his period of active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, dissociative disorder, and borderline personality disorder, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the appellant's request for a waiver of overpayment of pension benefits due to it being untimely filed, as he did not file his request within 180 days after notice of the overpayment was sent.

The Board found that the appellant's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service, and there is no clear evidence of aggravation by inactive duty training. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence obtained during the process.

The veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a skull fracture is granted as the evidence shows current disability associated with a head injury sustained in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of evidence initially developed by the Board.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and review of records from the Social Security Administration.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right hand disability was denied. Additionally, the issue regarding the waiver of recovery of overpayment and restoration of Chapter 34 educational benefits was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for residuals of a stroke and/or an ischemic episode, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has granted a higher (50 percent) evaluation for the veteran's dysthymia, effective from May 12, 1986.

The Board has granted compensation for hallux valgus of the right foot with lateral deviation of the second and third digits, but denied compensation for hip and back disabilities as secondary to this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and the medical evidence did not establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected scars from removal of synovial cysts on his face and left lower extremity do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under the old schedular criteria. As such, an initial noncompensable rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining information from the veteran and scheduling a VA examination.