Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left foot conditions and assigned a 10 percent evaluation for each condition. The veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for either condition.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a compensable rating were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of shell fragment wounds to his right thigh, right forearm, or abdomen. His exploratory laparotomy scar was also denied a compensable rating.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on November 2, 2003 were denied as the VA facility was feasibly available and he left against medical advice.

The Board determined that the appellant's father did not have qualifying military service for VA benefits, as verified by the United States service department.

The Board found no evidence of chronic residuals of fragment wounds to the inner aspects of the thighs due to active service and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis and fatigue, finding that there was no evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The veteran's service-connected costochondritis with shortness of breath is rated at 30 percent, and her claim for a bilateral foot disorder other than bunions has been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of a verified in-service stressor, and thus service connection for PTSD is denied.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected shrapnel wound residuals to the left leg affecting Muscle Groups XI and XII, with injury of the tibial nerve. The current rating of 30 percent is considered appropriate based on the severity of the disability.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of rheumatic fever do not warrant an increased rating as there is no current evidence of any associated heart or joint issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability, initial compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction and renal disease. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current heart murmur disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current residuals of a cold injury or a skin disorder, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's service-connected neuritis of the right sixth dorsal nerve has been rated at 30 percent, which is the highest schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 8619. The rating reflects complete paralysis of the right long thoracic nerve.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right hemicolectomy is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development.

The VA has determined that the veteran's residuals of a through-and-through gunshot wound to the left thigh with residual scarring warrant a 10 percent rating, effective from March 1997.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that malaria was not a contributing factor to his death and that there is no evidence linking current conditions to military service or exposure.

The appellant's claims for accrued benefits and nonservice-connected death pension benefits are denied due to the lack of entitlement under the law.