Other conditions decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal of the gallbladder disability claim was withdrawn prior to a decision. The TMJ issue is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA burial benefits because it was not received within two years of the veteran's burial, as required by law.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic myelogenous leukemia was not incurred in or related to service, including as due to exposure to herbicides. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hip disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the appellant did not have recognized service and therefore denied their eligibility for VA benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected HIV-related illness does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his T4 cell count was below 200 and he did not have refractory constitutional symptoms or development of AIDS-related opportunistic infection or neoplasm.

The Board has determined that the cause of death was not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a disease incurred in service. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The appellant does not have the required service to be eligible for VA benefits.

The veteran's service-connected hallux limitus of the right and left feet have been evaluated at 10 percent each, but his claims for increased ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hand disability, including ankylosis of the second metacarpal phalangeal joint, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and is not otherwise related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's application for enrollment in the VA healthcare system was denied due to his not meeting the basic eligibility requirements, specifically being assigned to Priority Group 8 and having an application received after January 17, 2003.

The VA Medical Center denied payment for services provided by REACH/Mediplane Air Ambulance on February 11, 2003.

The veteran's application for enrollment in the VA healthcare system was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his status as a non-service-connected veteran and the lack of financial information provided.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for chronic thrombophlebitis and varicose veins of the right leg, effective from July 1, 2004.

The veteran's dysthymic disorder was previously rated at 30 percent prior to May 18, 2005. Since then, he has been rated at 50 percent effective May 18, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cataract is related to service, specifically a trip flare incident in his face during active duty. The claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) was denied because he did not meet the eligibility requirements based on his service records and contributions to the VEAP program.

The Board found that the veteran's Crohn's disease, status-post terminal ileum resection, with duodenitis and gastritis, did not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to February 2, 1999.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 40 percent for the service-connected status post abdominal hernia repair with residuals of multiple recurrences of supraumbilical hernias, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his amputation of the right middle finger and ankylosis of the right ring and little fingers, as these conditions are already rated at their maximum allowable levels under the applicable VA rating criteria.