Other conditions decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for incomplete blink of the left eyelid as a residual manifestation of Bell's palsy diagnosed and treated during service. The veteran is assigned a 10% disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder and initial compensable ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists. The veteran's eye disorders are related to congenital defects, genetic factors, and refractive errors of the eyes. Carpal tunnel syndromes were found to be very mild.

The Board has determined that the veteran's daughter, D, did not meet the criteria for being a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support before reaching age 18. The evidence does not show she was permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected fungal infection of the feet and groin warrants a disability evaluation of 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peptic ulcer disease, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to service or any presumptive period.

The appellant's income exceeds the maximum annual income limitations for death pension benefits at the aid and attendance rate, thus she is not entitled to these benefits.

The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and the Board finds that he was not entitled to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by chest pain, and therefore, service connection for a chest disability is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for soft tissue sarcoma was denied as there is no current evidence of the condition and it is not related to his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist disability, currently rated at 30 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5214, does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating due to ankylosis in any other position except favorable. The claim is denied.

The veteran's service connection for myofascial pain syndrome, left paramedian thoracic with muscle spasms, seizures and back strain is maintained. The finding of Schmorl's nodes in service is considered part of this disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a lack of qualifying military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected fracture of the right fifth metacarpal and denied service connection for gout. The veteran did not have a compensable rating for his fracture, as it did not result in significant functional impairment. For gout, there was no evidence linking its onset to service or showing that it manifested within one year post-service.

The case is being remanded for further review due to the need to locate and consider a February 2004 rating decision, as well as additional evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral elbow disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for monetary allowance for a child suffering from spina bifida, on the basis of the veteran's service in Vietnam. The new evidence submitted since the April 2000 decision is not considered material as it does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for angina and tachycardia syndrome are being remanded due to incomplete examination reports and the need for further medical evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's hypoglycemia was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the claim for accrued benefits based on unreimbursed medical expenses (UMEs) as there was not sufficient evidence to reasonably estimate the veteran's UMEs in excess of what had been considered previously.

The case is being remanded for further examination and review of the claims file to determine if a congenital foot disorder existed prior to service, during service, or after service.