Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current stomach disorder or right hand disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's right leg varicose veins and long saphenous vein ligation and stripping were initially evaluated at 20 percent from July 1, 2003 to October 17, 2005. The evaluation was increased to 40 percent effective October 18, 2005. His left leg varicose veins and superficial venous insufficiency were initially evaluated at 20 percent from July 1, 2003 to October 17, 2005 and then increased to 40 percent effective October 18, 2005.

The veteran's eligibility for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 1606, Title 10, United States Code terminated as of October 1, 2000. The Board denied the claim based on a lack of entitlement under the law.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for the reconstruction of his left sternoclavicular joint are being remanded to determine if a VA or other Federal facility was feasibly available after the surgery, given that it took more than 3 months.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (38 U.S.C. Chapter 30) as she did not meet the eligibility criteria.

The veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood and osteopenia associated with Crohn's disease are currently rated at their maximum allowable levels, with no further increase granted.

The Board found that the veteran's arthralgia of the upper extremities is unrelated to Crohn's disease or a service-connected disability, and thus denied a separate compensable rating for this condition.

The Board has restored the veteran's original 30% disability rating for his stress fracture of the left femoral neck and denied an increased rating.

The veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his mental incapacity, which requires care on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, is denied because there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding of herbicide exposure causing his skin condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left leg disabilities due to additional development of evidence and consideration of medical principles.

The VA denied an increased rating for enteropathic arthritis with sacroiliitis, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his shrapnel fragment wound in the chest is being remanded due to failure to report for a VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after the examination results are received.

The veteran's right upper extremity weakness is currently rated at 20 percent, the minimum rating for mild incomplete paralysis. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current foot disability is not related to his active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired skin disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The veteran's fibrositis with migratory arthralgia is currently rated at 40 percent from July 18, 2005 and the Board finds this rating to be appropriate. Prior to that date, a 20 percent rating was assigned.

The Board found that the veteran did not sustain an injury or aggravation of an injury resulting in additional disability due to VA's failure to diagnose rib and thoracic compression fractures he sustained in a June 1988 boating accident. As such, the claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gout and a liver disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims. The claim of service connection for residuals of prostate cancer was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including hypertensive vascular disease, pre-existed his period of service and did not permanently increase in severity during active duty.