Other conditions decisions — 2003

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from service was under other than honorable conditions due to a period of AWOL exceeding 180 days. As this constitutes a bar to VA benefits, the appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right foot bunionectomy/hallux valgus and bone spur, effective from July 1, 1995. The appellant is currently assigned a noncompensable disability rating for each condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right chest shell fragment wound residuals including pneumothorax residuals is being remanded due to insufficient examination in the original decision and additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current residuals of burn scars of the right knee, and therefore, a compensable initial rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's personality disorder is not a disability for which service connection may be granted, and there is no evidence showing an acquired psychiatric disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a dental disorder, finding that there was no causal relationship between his military service and his current condition. The RO had previously denied this claim in January 2000.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the correct diagnosis and appropriate rating for his gastrointestinal disorder, cholecystitis.

The Board determined that the veteran's chronic acquired skin disorder was incurred in active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board found no nexus between the veteran's current chronic liver disease and his service, including hepatitis A. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, brain metastases and adenocarcinoma of the lung, were not attributable to his military service. The appellant did not provide evidence showing a connection between her husband's exposure to herbicides during service and his development of cancer.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address his symptoms and the nature of any scar formation or other similar problems as a result of the service-connected disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral ankle pain, including arthritis, as there is no evidence of a current disability and no link to active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's congenital polydactylia, which was present prior to his entrance into service and not aggravated by service, does not warrant service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder, claimed as stomach ulcers, is related to his period of active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the right heel do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

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

The Board has restored the veteran's 100 percent rating for prostate adenocarcinoma, finding that his condition was not cured and continued to be under observation.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no evidence linking the cancer of the gallbladder to service or any presumptive conditions.

The veteran's child, who was born more than a year after the veteran served in Vietnam, does not have spina bifida other than spina bifida occulta. Therefore, the claim for monetary benefits is denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's increased disability rating for left shoulder disability. The case is now remanded for additional examination and review.