Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychophysiological cardiovascular disorder does not warrant an increased rating, as there is no evidence of psychiatric symptoms or disability on recent VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a jaw disability and dental disorder due to in-service radiation therapy. The evidence now shows that chronic dental and jaw disabilities are not of service origin.

The Board has determined that an increase in the apportionment of the veteran's VA disability compensation benefits to the appellant is not warranted due to insufficient evidence showing hardship or undue financial burden on the veteran.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her right and left breast cancer, finding that the current ratings are correct based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the appeal challenging the propriety of an apportionment of the veteran's VA compensation benefits on behalf of his estranged spouse and their minor children, finding that the $250 apportionment provided to the estranged spouse was proper based on hardship and other factors.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his active service or any injury therein, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hyperphoria of the right eye and bilateral myopic astigmatism and convergence insufficiency is being remanded to allow for a video conference hearing.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left testicle atrophy, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular rating and was properly rated noncompensable since its effective date.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking the lung cancer to his military service, including exposure to asbestos.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his service-connected herpes simplex of the right thumb is denied as there is no evidence that the condition meets or approximates the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hip and broken finger injuries, as well as his initial rating for solar damaged skin and GERD. The RO evaluated these conditions under the criteria applicable to direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability and therefore cannot establish service connection for schizotypal personality disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for basic eligibility to VA nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a lack of qualifying service.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for gout and arthritis were not well-grounded, as there was no evidence of pre-existing conditions or in-service aggravation.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to his request for a video-conference hearing before the Board at the RO.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the right knee disability effective June 1, 1997. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's metastatic pancreatic cancer was likely caused by his in-service exposure to chemical/toxic substances, and granted service connection for the cause of death.