Other conditions decisions — 2005

The VA denied educational benefits for training at the Institute of Natural Healing and Sciences in Collegeville, Texas due to lack of approval by the state approving agency.

The veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, claimed as a residual of asbestos exposure, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The case is being remanded for the purpose of obtaining missing documents and clarifying the issue or issues on appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's current shin splints did not exist prior to service and were not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant cannot be recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA benefits due to a lack of continuous cohabitation. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized as residuals of acromioclavicular joint separation (minor), is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected dysthymic disorder, and also seeks TDIU based on this disability from October 1968 to December 1986.,There is conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the veteran's dysthymic disorder was severe enough to prevent him from securing or maintaining employment during the relevant period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for stuttering, right-sided weakness with loss of muscular control, and double vision as a result of VA treatment in February 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right hip disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative residuals of a left inguinal hernia from March 1, 2003 and granted a 30 percent rating for the left inguinal hernia prior to January 10, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's personality disorder is not related to inservice head trauma and therefore cannot be service connected.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 with instability, which is currently rated at 40 percent. The veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including consideration of new and old laws and regulations regarding service connection for dental treatment.

The Board found no evidence of a current eye disability related to the veteran's active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized dental expenses incurred from August 15, 2001 to September 24, 2001 was denied because the treatment did not meet the requirements for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The veteran's myeloproliferative disorder was granted service connection, but his non-small cell carcinoma of the lungs and chronic duodenal ulcer disease with duodenitis and hiatal hernia were not. The latter two conditions received increased ratings.

The Board has ordered additional development of the evidence to determine if the veteran's right eye problems are related to his service-connected left eye disability and whether he is entitled to service connection for these issues.

The veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for prostatitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current residuals of a rupture of the right Achilles tendon were incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral knee disorder that he asserts began in service. The VA has requested additional development to determine the nature and extent of any current bilateral knee disorder, as well as whether it is related to service.