Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, which was previously denied in March 2001. The appeal is remanded to the RO for further consideration.

The veteran's appeal is for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected Steven Johnson's syndrome, including scars and chronic eye irritation. The issue also includes seeking service connection for a chronic eye condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and VCAA compliance issues, and will consider all submitted evidence including a May 2002 independent medical expert's opinion.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and for DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 due to a spinal cord injury is being remanded for additional development as the VCAA requirements have not been fully satisfied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals of a flexor tendon rupture of the right index finger do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and found that a bilateral subtalar joint disability was incurred in service, with new evidence showing that the condition began during military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hand disability, including arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $15,494.00 was denied by the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hammertoes pre-existed service and did not undergo an increase in disability during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right foot disability, effective from May 18, 1992.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's son can be recognized as a 'helpless child' based on permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching age 18.

The Board found that the veteran's bruxism was not caused by or related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the appellant's discharge under conditions other than honorable in March 1973 precluded VA benefits. The RO found no new and material evidence to reopen this claim.

The appellant's claims for nonservice-connected death pension benefits and accrued benefits are denied due to the absence of legal merit.

The veteran's service-connected actinic damage of face, chest, and back has been rated at 30 percent since August 30, 2002.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus was denied as the earliest date she filed a formal claim is January 14, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident on a direct and secondary basis, as well as his claim for special monthly pension due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to inadequate notification and the need for additional evidence, including medical records from VA facilities. The case will be re-adjudicated after all necessary development has been completed.