Other conditions decisions — 2003

The veteran developed a perirectal abscess as a result of hemorrhoid surgery performed by the VA in August 1993, which was found to be directly related to his service-connected condition. The Board granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has found that the veteran's unreimbursed medical expenses for the period from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997 amount to $4,911.67 and has granted a higher amount of improved pension benefits based on these expenses.

The appeal is denied as the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for the requested development.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded to the RO for obtaining treatment records from health-care providers.

The Board has granted an initial increased evaluation of 20 percent for Raynaud's syndrome, right hand, effective from the date of the original claim in April 13, 1999.

The Board found that the appellant was not legally married to the veteran at the time of his death, and thus is not eligible for VA death benefits as a surviving spouse.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for malaria, finding no current evidence of the condition and noting that there is no medical evidence to link any past or present malaria to his military service.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for herpes progenitalis and service connection for a liver disorder as secondary to his service-connected herpes progenitalis are being remanded due to the need for further medical development.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of a left eye injury, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran's failure to accurately report his family income resulted in an overpayment of $1,802.18, which he does not owe.

The Board found that the cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the eligibility determination for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C.A., Chapter 35.,There is no persuasive, competent evidence indicating any of the medical conditions that caused or contributed to cause the veteran's death were related to his military service.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's service connection claims for back, leg, and foot disabilities. The case is now remanded for additional examination and review.

The veteran claims service connection for a right thumb disability, but the RO finds no evidence of such in his records and requests an examination to determine if he currently has any right thumb disability. The examiner should then decide whether this condition is related to military service.

The Board found that the claimant's husband did not have active military service in the Armed Forces of the United States, and thus denied her claim for VA benefits.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right thigh disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral defective hearing is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hip disability did not begin in service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board found that the appellant is competent for VA purposes and denied his claim.

The Board dismissed the appeal because a timely substantive appeal was not filed regarding the adjustment in VA pension award based on receipt of information as to her medical expenses in 1997.