Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, finding she did not meet the eligibility criteria due to her voluntary discharge from active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total rating for convalescence following three eye surgeries, finding that there was no evidence of severe postoperative residuals or significant restrictions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of lymphoepithelioma, including as secondary to exposure to herbicides, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his service or any incident therein.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a psychophysiological gastrointestinal disorder (PPGID). The Board has denied this claim, finding that an effective date earlier than July 30, 1990 was not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing, and no rating decision or service connection determination is made in this decision.

The veteran seeks service connection for urethral strictures, including urinary tract infections and proteinuria. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify whether the veteran currently has a disability and if so, whether it was aggravated by active service or treatment for his right knee disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected paralyzed left hemidiaphragm, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for mitral valve prolapse.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for skin conditions and low sperm count, both potentially related to Agent Orange exposure. The case is being sent back for additional examinations and analysis.

The veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his service-connected residuals of a laceration of the extensor tendon of the proximal interphalangeal joint of his right fourth finger was dismissed as untimely.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as his service did not establish him as a veteran for VA purposes, and thus he is ineligible for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for pityriasis rosea and will proceed to consider it on its merits. The veteran's claim for residuals of heat stroke or heat intolerance remains denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues and requested evidence. The appeal is currently on hold for additional review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for intermittent explosive disorder, stomach disorder, and arthritis are not supported by the evidence of record. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of pneumothorax, bilateral, with closed thoracotomy is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's loan guaranty indebtedness was justified due to his financial hardship and inability to repay, but granted a waiver of recovery.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's calluses on his feet, which he claims are related to his military service, were not incurred during or as a result of such service. The evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is linked to his active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for Reiter's syndrome, which was previously denied in June 1987.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse, finding that she was divorced from the veteran at the time of his death and did not meet the eligibility criteria.