Other conditions decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including examinations to determine the nature and extent of his claimed disabilities. The issues of service connection for residuals of shrapnel wound to the stomach and residuals of a collapsed lung are being remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing epigastric ventral hernia did not undergo a chronic increase in severity during active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability, currently rated at 30 percent, does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The case was remanded multiple times due to various issues including obtaining medical records and addressing VA's duty to assist.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of ambulance services provided by Gold Cross Ambulance on March 21, 2002 was denied because he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected skin disability is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by service-connected conditions, specifically malnutrition and cirrhosis of the liver. The Board found sufficient evidence to presume these conditions as a result of his status as a former prisoner of war.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left eye disability, which includes aphakia and surgical removal of lens, does not warrant a higher initial rating than the current 30 percent assigned. The evidence shows no significant improvement in vision or other functional impairment.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that they wish to withdraw their appeal, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a right fifth finger disorder due to new and material evidence, but did not make a decision on whether service connection is warranted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for compliance with VCAA notice and duty-to-assist provisions.

The Board finds that the veteran's loss of tooth numbered 8, which occurred during service and resulted from a football injury, is service-connected for purposes of receiving outpatient dental treatment.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits for a blood disorder was denied because there is no medical evidence demonstrating that he suffers from a current blood disorder or related disability as a result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lacerated left thumb is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of his National Guard service and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's polymyositis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an undiagnosed fever disability, finding no evidence of such a condition during or after service.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, bronchopneumonia with septicemia, was not related to his military service and therefore denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the service-connected disability did not cause or contribute to the veteran's death from cardiorespiratory arrest resulting from a cerebrovascular accident and hemorrhage.

The appellant's claim for non-service-connected burial benefits was denied because she did not timely file a completed claim within two years of the veteran's burial.