Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right arm disorder, characterized as a shell fragment wound with scars, warrants a 10% evaluation based on moderate impairment of muscle groups VII and VIII.

The Board found that the appellant's current back and neck disabilities are not linked to his military service, including a reported incident where he strained his neck and back while assisting a fellow crewmember. The evidence does not support a link between these conditions and his active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a psychiatric evaluation of Floribel and compliance with notification requirements.

The veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral hand disorder is granted as his current symptoms are related to repetitive motion injuries sustained during active service.

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

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected enteropathic arthritis with sacroiliitis is being remanded due to the need for additional orthopedic examination.

The veteran's appeal for exclusion of medical expenses incurred in 1995 from his countable income was dismissed due to the absence of an adequate and timely filed substantive appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code because his adjusted delimiting date was not beyond January 6, 1996. The veteran did not serve a later period of active duty nor was he prevented from pursuing or completing his program of education due to a disability.

The veteran's service connection claim for diarrhea and abdominal cramps is granted as the condition is considered a chronic multisymptom illness (IBS) that was incurred during his military service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hand osteoarthritis originated during active service due to a trauma, and thus grants service connection for arthritis of the hands.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but further medical examination is needed to determine if there is a causal relationship between any current venereal disease during his period of service and his optic nerve atrophy.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and veterans' claims do not survive their deaths.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right 7th thoracic nerve disability, finding that he does not have more than severe incomplete paralysis of this nerve and thus a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a left leg disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's request for waiver of recovery of overpayment in the remaining amount of $1,132.34 is deemed timely and must be considered by VA. The issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for chronic myofascial back pain syndrome must also be remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right inguinal hernia existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

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

The Board has found that the veteran's reflux esophagitis, laryngitis and hiatal hernia are related to his period of active duty service.

The veteran's appeal for TDIU benefits was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for lung tumors and granulomas, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.