Other conditions decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a cerebrovascular accident and left eye spasms are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes, respectively. These conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a duodenal ulcer from February 1957 to April 1959, and from July 1961 to September 1994.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have been confirmed and his claims for additional disabilities are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding nicotine dependence and its relation to the veteran's death. The appeal will be held in abeyance until these issues are resolved.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disorder and peripheral vascular disease, finding no evidence of such conditions during the veteran's active duty.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings and an earlier effective date for his service-connected right inguinal hernia, status post herniorrhaphy was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymia, finding that the veteran's symptoms of nervousness and irritability in service are indicative of a current diagnosis of dysthymia. The issue of entitlement to a temporary total rating based upon hospitalization for a service-connected disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between the pneumonia during hospitalization and the service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and the court's decision invalidating certain regulations. The case is now remanded for additional evidence collection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for injuries to the head and face, including scarring; blindness in the left eye as a residual of a motor vehicle accident; loss of teeth as a residual of a motor vehicle accident; and injuries to the right side of the body, including scars to the upper right chest and anterior right thigh. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's dental condition involving tooth number 18, allowing him to receive one-time VA dental treatment.

The veteran's claim for service connection for loss of left testicle is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and dental disability, but denied her claim for service connection for sinus and larynx disabilities. The rating for migraine headaches was increased to 50 percent effective February 1, 2001.

The Board has determined that the effective date for terminating the veteran's improved nonservice-connected disability pension benefits was July 1, 2000. The overpayment of his improved pension benefits was adjusted to $15,000 from $24,277 due to information provided by Social Security Administration (SSA).

The veteran's claim for basic eligibility for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 32 was denied because he did not contribute to the VEAP (Post-Vietnam Era Educational Assistance Program) while in service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for polycythemia and its residuals due to brain stem stroke, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The RO has received a request for a hearing before a traveling member of the Board. The appellant should be scheduled for such a hearing and notified of the date and time.

The Board denied an increase in a 10 percent rating for post-traumatic deformity of the distal right clavicle, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected chondromalacia patellae of the right knee and degenerative changes in the right knee, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of gallbladder dyskinesia, stating that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service.