Other conditions decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes has been granted, effective August 13, 2004. The case is now remanded to determine the appropriate effective date.

The Board found that the veteran's Churg-Strauss syndrome pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent evaluation for limitation of extension due to traumatic arthritis and a separate 10 percent evaluation for limitation of flexion due to traumatic arthritis, resulting in an overall 30 percent rating for the right knee disability. The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for chronic vaginitis since May 1, 1995.

The Board found that the reduction of the appellant's disability rating from 60% to 50% for bilateral keratoconus with corneal transplants was proper based on the evidence in the record and compliance with due process.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred in July 2003 at Cascade Medical Center was denied because the treatment did not meet the criteria for a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a grant of service connection for the cause of death due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, which was not manifest in service or within one year of separation from service and is unrelated to service. The veteran's PTSD did not play any role in the fatal disease process.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current ulcerative colitis is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected ulcerative colitis disability is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for trigeminal neuralgia is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as proper VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing eye disorder did not increase in severity during service and thus was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his residuals of a fracture of the left distal tibia and fibula with traumatic arthritis, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including sending a proper VCAA letter, obtaining a medical opinion regarding the veteran's employability, and securing his vocational rehabilitation folder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an aid and attendance allowance for his wife, finding that she did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the veteran's service personnel file and scheduling a VA medical examination to determine if the appellant has spina bifida and any resulting disabilities.

The veteran was granted accrued benefits for special monthly compensation due to the need of aid and attendance from December 1, 1998 to February 15, 1999. The appellant's claim for lost wages related to providing aid and attendance is denied as a matter of law.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of fracture of his right hand do not meet the criteria for an evaluation greater than 20 percent, as neither his index nor thumb is affected by favorable ankylosis. The claim for a rating increase in excess of 20 percent must therefore be denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right great toe condition is primarily manifested by pain and limited motion, warranting a 20% rating. The secondary service connection claim for a right leg condition was denied as there was no competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between the service-connected right great toe disorder and any current right leg condition.

The Board has reopened the claim to establish veteran status and basic eligibility for VA benefits, but the case is being remanded for further verification of service under alternate identifying information.

The veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected right eye pterygium and secondary service connection for a left eye disorder. The RO has not yet adjudicated the issue of entitlement to a 10 percent rating based on multiple non-compensable service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence, including a private eye examination report from Dr. Kenny White, and to provide proper VCAA notice.