Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not result in an employment handicap and he was successfully maintaining suitable employment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury due to new evidence, but finds that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death may be presumed to be related to his internment as a prisoner of war during military service. The claim for PTSD for accrued benefits purposes is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the appellant's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing notice to the appellant.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA nonservice-connected death pension benefits. The appellant's claim for accrued benefits was received more than one year after the veteran's death.

The Board determined that the appellant is not entitled to proceeds of the veteran's NSLI policies as she was not designated as the beneficiary.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right inguinal hernia residuals meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating, but not higher. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's request for waiver of overpayment of pension benefits in the amount of $19,947.00 as it was not timely filed within the required 180-day period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for direct service connection of emphysema and secondary service connection due to smoking in service, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected ingrown toenail of the left great toe, finding that the evidence did not show that her disability warranted a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. He is now rated at 30% for diarrhea, due to an undiagnosed illness, and the issue of propriety of severance of service connection for headaches has also been resolved in his favor.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to service connection for a dental disorder, skin disorder, or gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and requesting an addendum from a VA examiner to determine if the veteran's memory loss is related to service exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for atrial fibrillation and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder disability, finding no evidence of chronic disability manifested by atrial fibrillation or any other compensable disability related to service. The veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hiatal hernia prior to June 22, 1992 and for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from that date. The evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder, finding that it is as likely as not traceable to his military service.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his intervertebral disc syndrome at L5-S1 has been withdrawn.

The veteran is eligible for reimbursement of the $243 expenses incurred at a private medical facility on June 11, 2002 due to his prior VA care and reasonable expectation not to delay seeking treatment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever and weakness, both feet with callus formation secondary to rheumatic fever. The claim for coronary artery disease secondary to rheumatic fever was denied.

The veteran's service with the 'new' Philippine Scouts from May 1946 to March 1949 is not considered qualifying service for VA nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.