Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the October 1985 rating decision denying service connection for the cause of the veteran's death did not involve clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome, status post occult meniscal tear with meniscal cyst, right knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development and evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, characterized as a panic disorder, is related to his service in 1955 and 1956. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's colon cancer to his period of service and denied his claim. For his residuals of left Achilles heel surgery, the Board noted that a 10% evaluation was appropriate based on moderate disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and for nonservice-connected death pension eligibility due to the lack of qualifying military service.

The veteran's impotence is found to be due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and secondary service connection for impotence is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal cancer, which was first manifested many years after service and is unrelated to service or his service-connected disabilities, did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The issues are service connection for emphysema as a result of herbicide exposure, and service connection for eccrine/apocrine gland tumor; non oat-cell adenocarcinoma in fibroconnective tissue.

The veteran is seeking payment for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Chandler Regional Hospital on February 22, 2003. The case involves the availability of VA facilities and whether a medical emergency existed. Additional development is needed to determine distances between the private hospital and the nearest VA facility.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral eye conditions, finding that his pre-existing bilateral amblyopia did not increase in severity during active duty and thus was not aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on housebound status is denied as he is already receiving benefits based on the need for aid and attendance.

The veteran's fungal infection of the groin, legs, hands, feet and head was granted a 60 percent evaluation effective August 30, 2002. The previous evaluations were maintained at 50 percent prior to that date.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic acquired left eye disorder was denied, but he is granted an increased evaluation for his right eye corneal abrasion.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic gastrointestinal disorder in service or within the first post-service year, and concluded that there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between any current gastrointestinal disorder and active service.

The Board found that the veteran's multiple lipomas, including a benign paraesophageal mass, were initially manifested during military service and granted service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no further action can be taken on the claims.

The Board found that the veteran's defective vision did not preexist service and was not aggravated therein. The hearing loss is not related to his period of active service, and diverticulosis also does not appear to be linked to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's husband did not have qualifying military service as a veteran for VA purposes, and thus denied her claim for basic eligibility for VA death benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and requests for additional treatment records. The veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, but without complete medical history, it cannot be determined if service connection can be granted.