Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and evidence, including a need for VA examination of the veteran's sleep disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of pilonidal cyst removal, left hand injury (fracture), and post-traumatic stress disorder were denied. The lung disability claim is pending as the VA has not yet assigned a rating or effective date.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive lung disease, as his post-service medical records did not indicate a relationship between his current condition and his active service.

The Board has restored the previously assigned 10 percent evaluations for service-connected exertional compartment syndrome of the right and left legs, effective November 1, 2002.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to abnormal neurological findings from a November 2003 VA examination.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a tooth extraction, but the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for VA outpatient dental treatment based on his claim.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected left inguinal hernia, finding that the evidence did not show any exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical opinion regarding whether current degenerative joint disease is related to service-connected chondromalacia and complaints of pain in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cause of death and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, finding that there was no evidence linking emphysema to his active duty service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to a lack of entitlement under the law, as she did not have verified wartime service during her first period of service and was deemed to be barred from VA benefits due to an undesirable discharge from her second period of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for loss of teeth for compensation purposes is denied as there is no medical indication the service-connected teeth are irreplaceable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left leg disability, which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT), was not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The evidence does not show any complaints, findings, or diagnoses regarding a left leg injury during service and there is no medical evidence relating the current disability to service.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of the left upper extremity resulting from VA medical treatment between August and December of 2002. The case has been remanded to obtain additional evidence, including private medical records, and to schedule an orthopedic examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's deviated nasal septum with nasal deformity is a result of an in-service injury and is therefore service-connected.

The Board denied the appellant's request for a waiver of an overpayment of $498.66 in Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits due to his fault and lack of good faith, as he refused to pay tutoring fees owed to his educational institution.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his abdominal ventral hernia is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the veteran's skin disorder of the head, back, hands, and feet.

The appellant is entitled to accrued benefits for unreimbursed medical expenses that were paid by the veteran prior to his death in calendar year 2001.

The veteran seeks service connection for cold injury to both feet. The RO has not obtained all pertinent medical records, particularly from the Detroit VA Medical Center within the last month. The case is being remanded to obtain these records and readjudicate the claim.