Other conditions decisions — 2006

The VA denied a claim for an increased rating for chronic gastritis with adhesions due to a colostomy, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a distal fracture of the right fibula and TDIU.

The veteran's service-connected post-operative hypertrophic left Achilles tendon was granted an initial disability evaluation of 20 percent from March 1, 1996 to November 28, 1999 and a subsequent increase to 20 percent from November 29, 1999. The condition is characterized by occasional swelling and limitation of dorsiflexion of the left ankle.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizoaffective disorder, which is most often diagnosed as such, was incurred during active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this disability.

The veteran's service did not meet the eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected disability pension due to insufficient active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disability, and thus denied entitlement to increased burial benefits based on service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's service is not considered active military, naval, or air service for VA pension purposes. The appellant did not file her claim within one year of the veteran's death and thus does not qualify for accrued benefits.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral vision loss secondary to surgery is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new regulations.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he did not meet the active service requirements to establish basic eligibility.

The veteran does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes due to his non-service-connected disabilities, age, education, and occupational background.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic disease of the digestive system and an increased rating for right thoracic scoliosis, finding no evidence of current disabilities or service connection.

The veteran was appropriately charged $50 outpatient copayments for urology clinic services. The appeal is denied.

The Board is unclear about the exact nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed gastritis. The veteran argues that his current gastrointestinal symptomatology had its origin during his period of active military service, or is proximately due to medication for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's claimed residuals of cold injury to both hands, finding that there is an equipoise of evidence regarding the existence of Raynaud's phenomenon and exposure to extreme cold temperatures during military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA death benefits, including dependency and indemnity compensation benefits (DIC) due to a lack of qualifying service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for gout and arthritis due to new and material evidence received since the final denial in February 1973. The veteran's current disability is related to his active service, but a medical examination is needed to make a decision on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical services provided on June 28, 2003 due to lack of an emergency condition and because VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by VA care or examination, and denied entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 based on VA care prior to the veteran's death.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for post-operative residuals of a mandibular body fracture and left subcondylar fracture with headaches, effective June 1999. The claim for increased numbness of the right mandible area remains pending.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use or blindness of one eye was denied as there is no demonstration of such condition. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the lack of a demonstrated unemployability related to service-connected disabilities.