Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected palindromic rheumatism, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death is related to his service-connected respiratory symptomatology and exposure to toxic chemicals and gases, necessitating further development of medical records and personnel files.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected back condition does not warrant a higher rating, as his disability is currently evaluated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen his claim regarding whether his discharge from service was a bar to VA benefits, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's claim for VA pension eligibility was previously denied and affirmed. The RO is instructed to verify the veteran's military service, including types of service (Recognized Guerrilla, Philippine Commonwealth Army, Regular Philippine Scout, New Philippine Scout), and then reassess his eligibility.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for the requested development, including obtaining information from USASCRUR regarding the veteran's alleged in-service stressors and unit history.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a chip fracture of the right ring finger do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the rating schedule, thus denying his claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of basic eligibility for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to lack of qualifying military service.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being sent back to the Buffalo, New York, VA medical facility for a new examination of the veteran's right knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's diagnosis of poliomyelitis in September 1950 was likely caused by multiple injections he received from the U.S. military, and granted service connection for the residuals of provocation poliomyelitis.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete records and procedural issues. The case is now remanded for additional development of medical records.

The veteran intentionally failed to report his receipt of Social Security benefits, resulting in an overpayment. The Board found the veteran at fault and granted the waiver.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA benefits, finding that her deceased husband did not have valid service to establish eligibility.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, residuals of malaria, and peptic ulcer disease due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual limit for a veteran with no dependents, resulting in his application for improved pension benefits being denied.

Your case is being sent back to the Regional Office for further development and consideration of your claim for service connection for a disability involving your right lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the appellant was at fault for not reporting her income, which led to an overpayment in death pension benefits. The Board found no evidence of fraud or bad faith and concluded that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected laceration of the left fourth (ring) finger, finding that the evidence did not support such a rating.

The veteran's service-connected left elbow disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating for his residuals is not warranted.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, finding no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service and concluding that it is not related to herbicide exposure.