Other conditions decisions — 2003

The VA determined that the veteran does not currently have any symptomatology of psychoneurosis, mixed type and found that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to a non-service-connected mental disorder. Therefore, they denied an increased evaluation for this condition.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and requests for additional evidence. The case is now remanded back to the RO for specific actions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral chronic otitis externa, finding no evidence of aural disease during his military service and no medical opinion linking the condition to service. The issue of an initial compensable rating for asbestosis was also referred back to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to VCAA requirements, including notification and development of evidence related to claims for service connection that are not in appellate status.

The veteran's wife is entitled to an apportionment of $400 per month from his VA compensation benefits due to her financial hardship and lack of support.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Presbyterian University Hospital were denied as no VA or other Federal facilities were feasibly available and an attempt to use them beforehand would not have been reasonable, sound, wise, or practicable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed to have been due to Persian Gulf Service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's left ring finger amputation, finding that it approximates an amputation at the proximal interphalangeal joint. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found that the veteran's current shoulder disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of head injuries due to new and material evidence, but the appellant's injury was not incurred in line of duty during his unauthorized absence.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from gastroenteritis and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for systemic lupus erythematosus and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ.

The veteran's current disability rating for his compression fracture of the body of C5 is 30 percent, which is higher than what he is seeking. The Board found that more than moderate limitation of motion has not been shown and there is no evidence of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The case is being remanded for additional development due to the need for proper notice under the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the mid back and an initial disability rating in excess of 0 percent for residuals of a chip fracture of the distal interphalangeal joint of the left hand, finding that there was no evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current gastrointestinal disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder of the feet, entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for prostatitis.

The appellant's forfeiture action has rendered her ineligible to receive VA benefits, including compensation for the cause of death. As a result, the claim is dismissed.

The VA determined that the veteran's current left hand and finger problems are not due to the surgery performed at the VA Medical Center in November 1982, but rather are a result of natural aging processes.

The VA denied a claim for an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals, fracture, nasal bone with resultant occlusion of the right nasal passage with restricted drainage.