Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence. The cause of death was listed as a stroke.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a brain tumor, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any exposure to herbicides.

The veteran claims service connection for a bilateral foot disorder. The VA examiner diagnosed pes planus and mild hallux valgus, but did not determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of injury to ligaments of the right thumb with instability and arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint, assigning a 100% disability rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to her deceased husband, finding that he did not have qualifying service as a veteran.

The appellant's discharge from service was due to misconduct, and he did not meet the eligibility criteria for Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for eligibility for non-service-connected pension due to his military service not being during a wartime period, thus he is not eligible.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for partial blindness and a right ear disorder, finding no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for basic eligibility for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 was denied due to his service not meeting the required criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected residuals of a fractured right elbow is being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board found no causal connection between the veteran's medications and his right thumb amputation, thus denying entitlement to VA compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding increased evaluation for temporomandibular joint dysfunction and permanence of a total disability evaluation. The case is being sent back to the RO for additional evidence collection.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected shell fragment wounds were denied. The RO found that the residuals did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected hyperacidity with lactose intolerance, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral eye disorders, including cataracts and macular degeneration, claimed as due to mustard gas exposure. The lung disorder claim was also denied, but the appellant did not appeal this decision.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for cause of death. The appeal is also dismissed as there are no pending claims for accrued benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for serpiginous choroiditis, finding that it is related to exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam.

The Board granted service connection for hallux valgus of the left great toe and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, which is the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the removal of all upper teeth, finding that there was no evidence of a dental condition due to service trauma or combat wounds. The veteran is not eligible for VA outpatient dental treatment.