Other conditions decisions — 2006

The appellant is not eligible for Chapter 35 educational benefits due to her age at the time of application and the effective date of the veteran's total disability rating.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected fractured condyle, left mandible is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current residuals of a left calf injury or left index finger injury related to her military service and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility was denied as he did not establish service connection for any disability and the treatment was not authorized in advance.

The Board found no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of dysentery or arthritis, and denied the appellant's claims for service connection.

The veteran's TDIU benefits were granted effective from August 1995, based on her service-connected disabilities (Frey's syndrome and trigeminal neuralgia). The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for syringomyelia, which was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for a simple fracture of the transverse process L4 is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including notifying him of the applicable rating criteria and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent right ear infections, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for chronic otitis media and perforation of the tympanic membrane, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hairy cell leukemia and determined that it is related to herbicide exposure during military service. The claim is therefore granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of shrapnel wounds do not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for anesthesia, inferior alveolar nerve branches of the trigeminal nerve on each side (left and right), effective June 10, 2003.

The veteran's right knee disability, patellofemoral syndrome, is manifested by no more than range of motion from 0 degrees of extension to 140 degrees of flexion. The Board finds that the veteran's statements and examination findings approximate a 10 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The veteran's service-connected disability of fractures to the left distal tibia and fibula is not productive of malunion with marked knee or ankle disability, nor nonunion with loose motion requiring a brace. The preponderance of evidence does not support an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an updated financial status report and consideration of the appellant's unemployment since May 2006.

The Board finds that it is more likely than not that the veteran's current cerebellar ataxia had its onset in service, and grants service connection for this disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the medical criterion for loss of use of both feet due to his service-connected spastic paraparesis, and therefore grants entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the loss of use of both legs.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied all the claims for service connection as they are not supported by evidence of a chronic disability manifested during or within one year after service, and there is no medical evidence linking any current conditions to service.