Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 20, 1994 for the grant of service connection for impairment of field vision. The RO initially denied service connection in October 1987 and the veteran did not appeal this decision within one year. She first expressed interest in reopening her claim on April 20, 1994.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's loss of teeth due to chronic periodontal disease incurred during service is granted, and he is eligible for outpatient dental treatment. His hearing loss claim was denied.

The Board has decided that the claim of entitlement to service connection for polio needs further development and is therefore being remanded.

The Board found no legal basis for an award of VA compensation benefits for service-connected skin disease of the hands prior to March 14, 2000.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected hypertensive vascular disease, finding that his disability picture did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for the right ring finger, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and reopening of his alopecia claim were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the appellant J. A. S., who claims to be the veteran's child, has established his status as a proper claimant for accrued benefits.

The veteran's service-connected left leg injury, Muscle Groups XI and XII with FCCC of the tibia and multiple retained foreign bodies is rated at 30 percent.,From May 18, 2001 through March 31, 2004, the veteran was granted a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for shortening of the left leg, 2 centimeters, associated with his service-connected injury.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 50 percent for post-operative residuals of a total hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and left salpingectomy due to endometriosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's eye disorder is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's carcinoma of the cervix and dental trauma residuals are granted service connection.

The veteran seeks service connection for tongue and neck cancer, which he claims is due to radiation exposure in service. The case is being remanded for additional development including obtaining records of any alleged radiation exposure and assessing the likelihood that the cancer resulted from such exposure.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the left and right patella are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including those from the Pittsburgh VAMC. The RO will also schedule a VA orthopedic examination to determine the severity of his bilateral knee disorders.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to a remarriage, which rendered the appellant ineligible for DIC benefits as her surviving spouse.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg disability and genitourinary disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for Raynaud's syndrome was granted, and the effective date for service connection and a 50 percent evaluation was set at May 28, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the exact nature and extent of the veteran's left foot disability.

The Board has granted a total schedular rating of 100 percent for the service-connected hemoglobin sickle cell disease, effective from March 2001.

The Board found that the overpayment of $6,346.99 was properly created and is a valid indebtedness.