Other conditions decisions — 2005

The Board found that there is no competent evidence showing a link between the appellant's nicotine dependence and active military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine if any current residual of jaw fracture is related to an injury during active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of Social Security Administration records.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of malignant cell lymphoma was granted, with the effective date set at January 21, 1999.

The veteran's decreased visual acuity is due to refractive error and not a disability for VA compensation benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the claim for dependent's educational assistance under Chapter 35.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral varicose veins was denied. The issues of a compensable evaluation for facial acne, service connection for multiple sclerosis, and appendectomy scar and hysterectomy were not addressed in the decision.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of emphysema as secondary to asbestos exposure, finding no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim that her Civil Service income should be considered countable for VA pension eligibility purposes, finding it not to be an exception under the applicable regulations.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his attendance at Ramon Magsaysay Technological University. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining objective evidence or documentation showing that the veteran did not attend classes.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current manifestations of otitis media and perforated tympanic membrane in the left ear, which are required for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and concluded that the veteran's service records do not show any chronic manifestations related to this condition. The Board also noted that there is no medical evidence linking the claimed cardiovascular disease to service, including the in-service diagnoses of left ventricular hypertrophy and physiologic heart murmur.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in its analysis and for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's service connection claim for a low back disorder will be reconsidered after obtaining additional VA medical records and scheduling an examination.

The veteran was granted service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) due to exposure in service to Agent Orange. However, he is denied special monthly compensation and financial assistance for the loss of use of his right foot.

The case is being remanded for the purpose of obtaining terminal hospital records from Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. The claims will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for elbow and hip pain due to an undiagnosed illness related to the veteran's Gulf War service. The noncompensable rating for hemorrhoids is upheld, as there was no demonstration of large, thrombotic, or irreducible hemorrhoids. The 30 percent initial rating for cognitive disorder remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to an effective date of July 24, 1986 for a 10 percent rating for chronic costochondritis of the left anterior chest wall.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pulmonary embolism has resolved without residuals, and thus a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability as a residual of a head injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing narcolepsy was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.