Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's cystitis and postoperative residuals of a duodenal ulcer, both rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for head, neck, and back injuries sustained in a fight on September 12, 1973, finding that these conditions were not incurred in the line of duty due to the veteran's own willful misconduct.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorder is not service-connected, but reopened his claim based on new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The decision remains undecided as to whether the new evidence establishes a connection between the current condition and service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, thus denying the claim.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a current left leg disability, which he claims was caused by an in-service injury. The Board has ordered the RO to obtain all VA treatment records from 1965 to 1996 and readjudicate the claim.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his Buerger's disease was incurred in or aggravated by service, including from tobacco use. The Board concluded that the earliest clinical evidence of Buerger's disease was several years after service and did not relate it to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding no evidence of such condition during or after service and not linked to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for medical opinion regarding service connection for residuals of a left ear injury.

The veteran's service-connected psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction is rated at 30 percent, and his claim for an increased rating has been granted.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he is not shown to be helpless or so nearly helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint arthritis, resulting in a denial of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the spine due to new and material evidence submitted. However, the Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the current back disability to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's essential tremor is service-connected due to its hereditary nature and exposure to toxic chemicals during service, which may have exacerbated his condition.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating due to convalescence from surgery on her right fifth metatarsal, finding that she did not have severe postoperative residuals at the time her initial temporary total rating expired.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and issuing a statement of the case addressing dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board granted the veteran's motion to advance his case on the Board's docket and found that giving him the benefit of doubt, his vertigo was incurred in service.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development of medical records and consideration of the claims. The appellant must provide any additional pertinent evidence in her possession.

The Board has determined that the appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual limit for nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and thus denied her claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected fractures of the second metatarsal, right foot and tinnitus. The RO assigned a 10 percent disability rating for the fracture condition but did not grant an increase.

The Board found that the veteran's current cardiovascular disease is not related to his in-service surgery, fever, and infection. The service records do not show any diagnosis of or treatment for heart symptoms during active duty.