Other conditions decisions — 2004

The veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for his service-connected schizoid features with depressive overlay, which was initially granted at 10 percent in April 1996. The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to the veteran's incarceration and missing medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for an elevated right hemidiaphragm due to partial paralysis of the phrenic nerve. The veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from M. Allison, M.D., as well as records of the veteran's terminal hospitalization at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of hunter rod reconstruction of the left fourth finger meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating, taking into account pain and functional impairment comparable to amputation.

The Board found that the appellant did not have the required military service to be eligible for VA benefits and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a stress fracture of the left third metatarsal are rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5284. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities is secondary to cold injury during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the veteran's right forearm shell fragment injury residuals, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that he did not meet the basic service eligibility requirements to entitle him to such benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral eye disability, finding that his currently diagnosed bilateral macular degeneration is not related to an in-service injury and thus not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board determined that the veteran did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code due to his discharge being a general discharge rather than an honorable one. As such, the claim was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as he does not have qualifying military service to establish eligibility for VA benefits.

The veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual rate for a single individual, thus denying his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's request to extend his basic 10-year period of eligibility for receiving educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code due to a reduction in his delimiting date based on periods of non-service.

The veteran's death was due to a nonservice-connected cardiovascular accident. The appellant is not entitled to reimbursement for burial and interment expenses in excess of $185.92.

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory disorders, including pulmonary fibrosis and ventilatory defect, may be related to radiation exposure in service. However, there is no documented record of radiation exposure during his service. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as tropical fungus, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical nexus opinions.

The Board finds that the appellant's right eye disability is due to VA's failure to promptly diagnose and treat postoperative complications from endophthalmitis, resulting in blindness. The delay was considered negligent.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic skin disorder of the feet did not have its onset during active service and is not presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Therefore, his claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins of the left leg due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial in 1995. The claim is now considered on its merits.