Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for allergies with urticaria, finding that the veteran's skin condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left hand injury, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current disability to his military service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for back disability, finding that no claim was filed prior to December 12, 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected neurological disabilities affecting both upper and lower extremities.

The veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has not required active treatment since 1972 and is not productive of current symptomatology, resulting in a denial of an initial compensable evaluation from March 1, 1973.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased ratings for chondromalacia of both knees was granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned for each knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's varicose veins on his right leg do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 40 percent, as there is no evidence of persistent ulceration.

The Board found no evidence of a right foot condition in service or within the presumptive period, and concluded that the current arthritis is not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder manifested by nausea and vomiting in service, finding that his current symptoms are not related to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin disorder to include skin cancer claimed as the result of ionizing radiation exposure, finding that there was no evidence of such disease during active duty or within one year of discharge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by cancer of the pharynx, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The appellant is also eligible for dependents' educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35.

The veteran's claims for service connection based on POW status were denied as there was no recognized military service during the relevant period. The appellant's claims for accrued benefits are also denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive lung disease, claimed as secondary to pneumonia and a spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung), is being remanded due to incomplete medical evidence. The issue of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for residuals of a spontaneous pneumothorax is also being remanded.

The Board found that the June 2003 rating decision reducing the veteran's prestabilization rating to 30 percent was proper, and denied his claim for a higher initial rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant forfeited her rights to VA death pension benefits due to making false statements. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration of the forfeiture action.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a myocardial infarction as being proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining all relevant medical records and scheduling a VA heart examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran attended classes at TCMC while receiving VA education benefits, and for obtaining an official transcript from TCMC.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of non-service-connected disability pension benefits. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and contacting VA offices, is necessary to properly adjudicate this claim.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical treatment provided at the West Florida Hospital on July 17, 2001 is being remanded due to incomplete documentation and a need for further clinical review.

The Board has determined that A.C. cannot be recognized as the veteran's spouse for VA benefit purposes due to a previous marriage being declared void.