Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for metrorrhagia, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking her current diagnosis to her period of active service.

The veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether he uses a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance associated with his service-connected left palm disability and if he uses prescription medication for that condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for lower facial numbness, finding that it was not caused by negligence or other fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current skin disorder to the feet, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for varicose veins of the left lower extremity is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Board finds that the veteran has a recurring right inguinal hernia that was sustained in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was denied. The RO found that the increase in disability occurred after May 22, 2003 and thus did not warrant an earlier effective date. For his service-connected atrophy of the left testicle, the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation was also denied as there is no evidence showing he has complete atrophy of both testicles or any other condition that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's pulmonary fibrosis is manifested by specific lung function test results, warranting a 60 percent disability rating effective January 28, 2000.

The veteran died from renal failure and had service-connected keratitis. However, the death certificate indicates he was not hospitalized by VA at the time of his death. The claim for burial benefits is denied as there are no legal grounds to grant such benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dysthymia does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the veteran's surviving spouse due to their divorce at the time of the veteran's death, and her assertion that she was not legally separated is not sufficient to meet VA requirements.

The veteran's claim for a vocational rehabilitation subsistence allowance from October 26, 2003 through January 4, 2004 was denied as he did not attend the required training sessions.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to death benefits due to a lack of basic eligibility, as the service department certified that the appellant's husband had no service with the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's gunshot wound to the left forearm, finding that the evidence does not support an increase in disability rating beyond the current 10 percent.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim, recognizing her as the surviving spouse of the veteran for purposes of VA death benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a new VA eye examination to determine if any current eye disability is related to negligent use of Dilantin by VA in treatment from 1996 to 1997.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran was treated for frostbite in service, which could support his claim for service connection for residuals of frozen feet.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current conditions and service, including Barrett's esophagitis, ulcers, and bone disease of the jaw. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of an aortic valve replacement should not be rated at 100% due to sustained material improvement in symptoms, but also does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.