Other conditions decisions — 2005

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's shrapnel wound to Muscle Group XIII in the right thigh, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic low back injury in service and there is no evidence of such prior to his work-related injury in 1979. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for VA death benefits based on the veteran's service, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The VA determined that the veteran's residuals of gunshot wounds to his right and left calves do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's application for retroactive educational assistance benefits was denied because the enrollment period occurred before the date of his claim, and there is no exception to the regulations governing commencing dates for Chapter 30 benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an extension of her delimiting date beyond January [redacted], 2004, for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to lack of legal merit.

The Board has determined that the veteran's total disability rating is not subject to reduction due to a lack of legal authority, and thus denies the claim for a permanently protected disability rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for agnogenic myeloid metaplasia as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation was dismissed because the veteran died during the appeal process.

The veteran is seeking reimbursement for unauthorized private hospitalization from January 5 to January 7, 2002. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for proper notice under the Veterans' Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's appeal is for increased ratings for his service-connected psychophysiologic gastrointestinal reaction, specifically irritable colon syndrome. The RO has already assigned a 30 percent rating from June 17, 2004 and a 10 percent rating prior to that date. However, the case remains pending as additional records are needed.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied.,An effective date of October 1, 1998, was assigned for the award of service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the bilateral feet and hand.

The VA has denied a compensable initial evaluation for the veteran's temporomandibular joint dysfunction, finding that his symptoms do not warrant any higher rating based on limited motion or inter-incisal range of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral sacroiliitis warrants a 20 percent initial disability rating, but not higher.

The Board has determined that the veteran's spinal cord injury was not aggravated by VA medical treatment, and therefore compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left hand disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still denied as there is no competent clinical evidence establishing that the veteran's current left hand disability is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frozen feet, finding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of frostbite in service and that there were no residuals from such.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions is a bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's Lyme disease was not caused by VA treatment and denied his claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral pterygium does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for jungle rot of the left hand and residuals of a left hand injury, finding no current disability.