Other conditions decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected ovarian cyst was granted a noncompensable disability rating. The RO denied the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for migraine headaches.

The RO determined that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for vision loss, which was previously denied in March 1988. The veteran's appeal is based on the submission of new evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability and granted it. The veteran's left eye disability is presumed to have been caused by his military service, but there is no evidence that his current right eye disability was also incurred in service or is related to his pre-existing left eye disability.

The Board has found that the veteran does not possess the consistent mental capacity to handle his own affairs, including the disbursement of funds without limitation. Therefore, the veteran is not competent to handle VA funds.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's right inguinal hernia, finding that the evidence did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or materially contribute to his death from pancreatic cancer.

The VA has denied the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected back injury with low back pain due to degenerative changes and disc space narrowing at L5-S1, as there is no evidence of more than severe limitation of motion or other compensable symptoms.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for the service-connected residuals of a fractured left fourth metacarpal and for special monthly pension benefits is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling an orthopedic examination and providing the veteran with information about VA's duty to assist in the development of his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for lupus erythematous, finding no competent evidence of a nexus between the post-service diagnosis and service, including herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected right foot injury residuals was denied. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the disability had increased prior to November 18, 2002.

The Board found that the appellant's spouse had no valid service in the U.S. Armed Forces, as certified by the United States Department of the Army. Therefore, the claim for VA death benefits was denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking the fatal colon cancer to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board finds that the veteran's current skin condition and peptic ulcer disease are not related to his military service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right great toe fracture does not warrant a higher rating as it is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects moderate impairment. The evidence shows ongoing symptoms but no more severe impairment than what is contemplated by the current rating.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of recovery of overpayment of nonservice-connected pension benefits in the form of apportionment payments, finding that there was no evidence of financial hardship and denying the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of sun poisoning. The RO is instructed to obtain additional treatment records and schedule a VA dermatologist evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of bilateral great toe numbness and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's application for reimbursement of licensing and certification testing fees was denied because the examinations were taken more than one year prior to her application, which is in accordance with VA regulations.

The veteran's net worth exceeds the limit for receiving improved pension benefits, and his monthly income is insufficient to cover his expenses. The Board denied the claim as it found that a portion of his net worth could be used to meet his living expenses.