Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for left foot arthritis and an increased rating for his fasciotomy of the left heel with calcification of the left plantar aponeurosis and left heel spur, as there is no evidence of current left foot arthritis or actual loss of use of the left foot. The maximum disability rating available has already been assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that chronic pain syndrome was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR), resulting in denial of nonservice connected pension.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a cerebrovascular disability was dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the appeal process.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and VCAA compliance.

The VA denied a compensable disability rating for the veteran's service-connected right eye pterygium, finding that his vision did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting left heel condition worsened during active duty and is therefore service connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to procedural deficiencies, including failure to provide VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral defective hearing did not meet the criteria for an increased (compensable) rating, resulting in a denial of his claim.

The veteran's death occurred in 1976, and the appellant filed a claim for accrued benefits in 1998. The claim is denied because it was not submitted within one year of the veteran's death.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of December 19, 1996 for a grant of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities since July 15, 1991.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if there is a relationship between the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and his fatal acute lymphocytic leukemia.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current schizoaffective disorder and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by VA negligence or fault, and therefore denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The VA determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals of an appendectomy for appendiceal abscess with recurrent diarrhea do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current right foot disorder is related to in-service right foot symptomatology.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected prostatitis and urethritis, as well as epidermatophytosis of the hands and feet, are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's contraction deformity of the right little finger with traumatic degenerative changes, finding that this condition meets the criteria for such a rating.