Other conditions decisions — 2005

The VA has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the left tibia and fibula, characterized by malunion with moderate knee or ankle disability.

The veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome is rated at 40 percent for the entire spine. The RO has assigned separate compensable ratings for each affected joint, resulting in a combined rating of 90 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder due to lack of evidence linking any current psychiatric or nervous disability to an event or incident in service.

The veteran's skin disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating above his existing 10 percent rating for residuals of a left elbow fracture with post traumatic arthritis, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that E.H., the veteran's daughter, did not become permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to a physical or mental defect. The appellant claimed she had mental retardation but provided evidence showing she graduated from high school and worked for several years.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to her claimed allergy to latex and nitrile gloves, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has awarded an apportionment of $250.00 per month per child from the veteran's VA disability compensation benefits on behalf of his minor children, J. and L.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete service medical records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the cause of death. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral eye condition and nosebleeds were not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service or a link between current conditions and in-service events.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for chondritis of the vertebrae, finding that the new evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for HIV-related illness and a bilateral TMJ disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding no evidence linking his terminal cancer to his military service or any other basis for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code due to her reaching age 26 before the effective date of a finding of permanent and total service-connected disability.

The VA determined that the appellant did not have recognized service with the United States Armed Forces, thus denying his claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits.

The veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and personnel file.

The appellant is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code due to reaching the age of 26 before his father received a permanent and total disability rating based on service-connected disability.

The veteran's application for enrollment in the VA healthcare system was denied as he does not meet the eligibility requirements, including having no service-connected disabilities and being in priority group 8.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left foot, finding that it more closely approximates moderately severe impairment in the left foot.

The veteran's heart condition is manifested by episodes of supraventricular tachycardia as documented by Holter monitor tests in 2003 and 2005. A compensable evaluation (10%) has been granted effective from April 27, 2004, forward.