Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for multiple certificates of eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and necessary adaptive equipment, finding no legal entitlement to a second certificate. The TDIU claim was not addressed in a statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for herpes simplex keratitis of the left eye, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to military service. The other issues regarding exposure to herbicides are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cardiac disability, including an atrial septal defect, did not begin in or was not aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depression did not cause or aggravate his diagnosed cardiovascular disorder, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical opinion and addressing issues related to service connection and evaluation of hand disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acetabular dysplasia of the hips, a congenital condition, was first manifested during his military service and is therefore considered to have been incurred therein.

The VA denied a compensable rating for impotence, finding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of deformity with loss of erectile power.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to be recognized as the surviving spouse of the veteran for VA death benefits purposes due to lack of a valid marriage and no child born of their union.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current skin disorder, including whether it is related to service or exposure to herbicides. The veteran's claims for direct service connection and secondary service connection based on in-service exposure to herbicides are pending.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disability, bilateral defective hearing, and impaired vision. The Board found no evidence of a chronic pulmonary disability related to service, no clinically demonstrated defective hearing for VA purposes, and no chronic acquired eye disability present in service or proximate thereto.

The veteran's claim for reinstatement of vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to ensure all necessary development and notification have been completed.

The Board denied service connection for a fungal infection of the left hand and arm, finding that it was not shown to have been present in service or related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying service for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits and therefore is not eligible.

The VA denied claims for a skin disorder and service connection for elevated cholesterol levels. The veteran's skin disorder was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and the claim for elevated cholesterol was found to be non-new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. His adjustment reaction is rated at 10 percent, his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, and his tinnitus remains at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected left ulnar nerve impairment prior to December 3, 2002 and a rating in excess of 30 percent from that date. The evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of the disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's nerve involvement related to his shell fragment wound requires further evaluation and clarification. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board determined that the veteran's annual income exceeded the established limit for nonservice-connected disability pension, thus denying his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and need for additional examinations.