Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for enucleation of the right eye, finding no evidence linking it to his active duty service. The issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for undifferentiated type schizophrenia prior to August 20, 2005 remains pending.

The Board found no service-connected disability that caused the veteran's death, and thus denied both the cause of death claim and the Dependents' Educational Assistance claim.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because no substantive appeal was filed within the required time frame.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's cause of death in March 1961. The appellant submitted an application to reopen the claim on February 25, 2000. As a result, the effective date for the award of service connection for the veteran's cause of death is fixed at March 1, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for a skin rash and cardiovascular disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for residuals of cold weather injury to both feet are granted, as there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in this case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed head and back injuries are not related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral defective hearing is not related to his military service, including any inservice noise exposure. As a result, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The appellant's claim for retroactive educational benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, for an apprenticeship program from October 1999 to November 2002 is denied as he did not meet the legal requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VCAA notice and a VA audiologic examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for otitis media and mastoiditis, finding that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran's claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) is being remanded for further development of medical records.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10% for the veteran's residuals of left hip septic arthritis, finding that his disability did not warrant such an increase based on current symptoms and examination findings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current chronic headaches are not related to his military service, specifically the head injury he sustained in April 1976. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current groin or dental disabilities to his active service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for atrial fibrillation, which he claimed was related to his PTSD. The VA also denied TDIU benefits due to uncertainty regarding the severity of his psychiatric disabilities.

The veteran's right thumb laceration has not resulted in ankylosis or a gap of more than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers, even considering her complaints of pain. Therefore, the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board found that the veteran's spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated therein, thus denying his claim for service connection.