Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim for VA benefits based on claimed service due to a lack of qualifying military service, and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye disability, characterized as a detached retina and iritis, is service-connected. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the electrical injury during service caused this condition.

The veteran's service-connected retinitis of the left eye is currently rated at 20 percent, after a 10 percent deduction. The Board found that his current visual acuity in the right eye (estimated to be 10/300) does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's overpayment of pension benefits was validly created due to his failure to report income and is granting a waiver of this overpayment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic conjunctivitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling examinations. The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are pending.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for DIC benefits due to treatment provided at VA medical facilities from 1987 to 1996, as there is no evidence that the veteran's death was caused by such treatment or that VA failed to timely diagnose his cancer.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for pterygium of both eyes and residuals of a fracture of the left great toe, finding that there is no evidence to support higher ratings based on current disability levels.

The Board determined that the appellant did not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to a lack of verified active service during a qualifying period of war.

The Board found no evidence to support a relationship between the cause of the veteran's death and his service-connected disability or his period of active duty service.

The Board found that the appellant's spouse had no qualifying service in the Armed Forces of the United States and thus did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA benefits.

The Board has determined that a new medical examination is necessary and the case is being remanded for this purpose. The claim will also be re-adjudicated under the revised rating criteria effective September 26, 2003.

The Board found that the adjustment of the veteran's Improved Pension award from December 1, 2000 was proper based on the correct application of the law to his countable income.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the cause of the veteran's death to any event or etiology in service, including exposure to mercury. The claim for service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The Board found no evidence of dental trauma in service and concluded that the veteran's claim for residuals of dental trauma is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional medical records from various sources.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability manifested by generalized pain or chest pain, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of cold injury residuals of the left foot, right foot, and hands/ears due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of qualifying service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of multiple joints is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected Hodgkin's disease.