Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The VA denied an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected gynecomastia, finding no greater than mild discomfort over the right pectoral muscle without objective evidence of tenderness or impairment.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left hand disability, which was already at its maximum schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the veteran's death and the relationship between his service-connected condition and his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete notification and development of evidence, including National Guard records. The appellant must provide information about any relevant medical treatment and the VA will attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury and granted it, finding new and material evidence to support the claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's residuals of a dislocated right ring finger do not warrant a compensable evaluation, maintaining the noncompensable rating since January 2001. The increased evaluation for migraine headaches was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete National Guard records and other evidentiary issues. The veteran's claim for service connection for adult acquired hydrocephalus will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for multiple myeloma should be October 30, 2001.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left foot disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on moderate symptoms.

The Board found no evidence of VA negligence or carelessness in the treatment provided to the veteran, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals, fracture right navicular bone do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The case is being remanded for an appropriate hearing to be scheduled due to the veteran's request.

The veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, which he claims is related to an injury in 1963 and Morton's neuroma of the left foot during service. The Board has remanded the case for further development including obtaining medical records from his reserve status service and conducting a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as there is no evidence of such a condition during or within one year after his separation from service. The cause of death was attributed to chronic obstructive lung disease and congestive heart failure, which developed many years post-service.

The veteran was granted compensation for quadriplegia resulting from VA treatment, which led to his death due to complications. The Board found that the additional disability or death resulted from the veteran's own service-connected condition.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the service-connected chondromalacia of the right knee with residuals, finding that it more nearly approximates ankylosis in flexion between 20 and 45 degrees.

The Board found that the appellant did not have basic eligibility for VA nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to lack of valid military service in the Armed Forces, including with recognized guerrillas. The appeal is denied.

The veteran is seeking VA outpatient dental treatment for a dental disability. The appeal will be remanded to the VAMC due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection and eligibility.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a right hand injury are currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is granted.