Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran is not competent to handle VA funds and therefore does not meet the criteria for restoration of competency.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected residuals of stab wounds of the abdomen and chest, finding that the scars were well healed with no loss of underlying tissue and not tender to palpation. The examiner noted a defect in cutaneous sensation due to scar tissue encasing nerves.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of multiple burns to the face, eyes, neck, and armpit due to new evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no current disability or a link between the post-service eye disorder and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral eye disabilities, postoperative cataracts and retinal detachments, were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected dermatophytosis of the feet warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective July 1984.

The Board has ordered the RO to ensure VCAA notice compliance, obtain records of private medical treatment, and afford the veteran a VA skin examination. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his lower extremities due to service-connected demyelinating disease and somatoform disorder.

The Board found no probative evidence that the veteran sustained dental trauma in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection for a dental disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, finding that there was no evidence to support the claim and concluding that the current residuals were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to aortic dissection and cardiovascular disease, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service. The appellant's claim for DEA benefits under Chapter 35 was also denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected mood disorder, finding that it resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms including depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.

The veteran's service-connected lymphedema praecox affects both her right and left lower extremities, but the RO has not assigned a separate evaluation for each. The case is REMANDED to assign appropriate evaluations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's deceased spouse did not have qualifying service in the United States Armed Forces, and therefore is not considered a 'veteran' for purposes of entitlement to VA benefits. As a result, the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death benefits was denied.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange and to clarify the primary site of his fatal cancer.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is found to have been incurred in active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee conditions, finding that at worst, he had flexion limited to 90 degrees and extension limited to 10 degrees. The instability of the medial collateral ligament was no more than slight.

The Board finds that the appellant is entitled to recognition as the surviving spouse of the deceased veteran for purposes of VA benefits, given the temporary separations were by mutual consent and did not show an intent on the part of the surviving spouse to desert the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right hip disorder and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the overpayment at issue was properly created and is a valid debt due to the veteran's failure to promptly report earned income, despite being advised of his obligation to do so.

The veteran's service connection claim for alopecia is granted as the condition is found to be directly related to his military service.