Other conditions decisions — 2006

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the VA's decision to change his medical enrollment status from Priority Group 7c to Priority Group 8c.

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's left hip bursitis, maintaining the current rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to insufficient evidence, but failed to consider an autopsy report and additional VA records. The motion argues that these missing records could have changed the outcome.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for increased payment of improved death pension benefits due to no evidence showing entitlement to a higher amount.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarity in the VA examiner's response regarding whether the veteran's COPD is related to service exposure, specifically smoke and fumes from propane and other fuels during his tour of duty in Korea. The claim will be returned for further examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence did not support restoration of a 10 percent rating for left eye pterygium with iritis, as there was no active pathology or impairment in vision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for left eye phlyctenulosis, currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for left foot, bilateral eye, and dental disorders. The veteran's service connection claim for a left foot disorder is denied, while his claims for bilateral eye disorder (presumptive due to Agent Orange exposure) and dental disorder (presumptive due to military service) are granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for his ventral hernia, finding that the disability is not well supported by a belt under ordinary conditions.

The Board found that the appellant knowingly submitted false representations concerning her claims for VA benefits, leading to the forfeiture of entitlement as a surviving spouse.

The Board found that the veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was not related to service, and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing condition of left eye surgical repair did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's cellulitis of the left leg, finding no residuals other than a small scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability, which is rated at 20 percent under Code 5203 for limitation of motion, does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of abduction to less than midway between the side and shoulder level. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to identify specific muscle groups involved and their severity. The veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher disability rating for his right forearm gunshot wound is pending.

The veteran withdrew her appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for Graves' disease, leaving no issues remaining for the Board to consider.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disorder, finding no persuasive medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of relevant VA treatment records, and the veteran's claim for service connection for valgus heels with pronation on the right and lesser similar deformity of the left is pending.

The Board found that the appellant's myopic astigmatism and presbyopia of the left eye are not service-connected because they are refractive errors, not diseases. The right eye disability is currently evaluated at 40 percent due to blindness with no light perception.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service-connected PTB, and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the TDIU claim for accrued benefits.