Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's fungal skin disorders of the groin and feet were incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for fungus of the hands and feet. The RO previously denied this claim in June 1960, but no new or additional evidence was provided since then.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for the veteran's service-connected bronchiectasis, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for restoration of a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability was dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral chalazion of the eyes, service connection for facial rash and vision disability secondary to his service-connected bilateral chalazia were denied. The Board found that he does not currently have active chalazion or any current residuals thereof.

The appellant's marriage to the veteran was less than one year prior to his death and no children were born either before or of the marriage. Therefore, she is not eligible for VA death benefits as a surviving spouse.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left foot weakness do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied increased ratings for the mood disorder, but granted a 20% rating for the residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right leg. The other issues were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's emphysema was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and thus denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to scheduling issues and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has ordered the VA to make additional efforts to locate and obtain clinical records from Osan Air Force Base Hospital, Korea, for November 1963 to November 1964, as well as treatment records from VAMC in Omaha, Nebraska, from December 1964 to November 1992. The veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these efforts are completed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from when his claim was filed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for atypical psychosis and also denied his request to reopen this claim. The issue of entitlement to permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is remanded due to lack of recent medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination and clarification of the veteran's wishes regarding a hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected peptic ulcer disease with chronic gastrointestinal disorder and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to January 24, 1999 or 60 percent beginning January 24, 1999. The Board also found no evidence showing marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant may not be recognized as the surviving spouse of the veteran for VA death benefits purposes due to her divorce from the veteran prior to his death.

The Board found that the cause of death, carcinoma of the colon, was not caused by a service-connected disability and did not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for herpes simplex is granted. The Board finds that the current manifestation of the chronic disease of herpes simplex began in service and there is no competent evidence to attribute it to intercurrent causes.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection and granted a 10 percent rating for the period from April 17, 1980 to November 28, 1983 for mood disorder secondary to head injury.